Malayadipatti Vakeeswararmudaiyar Cave Shiva Temple, Pudukkottai

Address

Malayadipatti Vakeeswararmudaiyar Cave Shiva Temple, Malayadipatti, Kulathur Circle, Pudukkottai District – 622502

Diety

Vakeeswararmudaiyar

Introduction

Shiva temple is located a little higher than Vishnu temple, closer to the eastern end of hillock. Malayadippatti Shiva temple is called Alathurthali. According to inscription this temple was excavated in 804 AD. The Siva temple is adjoining to the Vishnu shrine, in the eastern side. It is considered to be older than the Vishnu temple. It is ascribed to the 8th century on the basis of Epigraphical and architectural evidences.

Puranic Significance

An inscription dated in the 16th year of the Pallava King Dantivarman (775 – 826 AD) mentions that Videlvidugu Muttaraiyar also called Kuvavan Sattan cut this temple out of the Tiruvalathur malai and installed a lingam In the 11th century Veera Rajendra Chozha inscription, the deity is called as Vagisvara. There are a number of inscriptions here, which mention about grants and donations by various chiefs. Built in 8th century by Pallavas, the Shiva temple is older than the Vishnu temple. Constructed by Kuvavan Sathan, the Shiva temple is named as Vakeeswarar, according to epigraphic notes. This temple, popularly known as Alathurthali is situated towards the eastern side of the granite hill. There are remains of a ruined compound wall for this temple complex. The temple complex includes a structural sub shrine of the Goddess Vadivulla Mangai, facing south and another structure, on the North West corner, which might had been the kitchen. The front mandapam, as one enters the main temple, has slender pillars in characteristic 15th century Vijayanagara style. There are a few Chozha inscriptions on the outer side of the northern wall. Inside the mandapam, on the western wall, near to the cave facade is one Adithya Chozha I (about 871-907 AD) inscription. Perhaps, the original 9th-10th century Chozha construction was renovated during the Vijayanagara period (15th century AD). Beyond this mandapam, to the right is the rock-cut shrine of Siva. It measures 22.5 feet long, 15.5 feet wide and 8 feet high and in typical Pallava style. There are two massive short pillars and two pilasters of same type on the northern facade of the cave. The upper and lower parts of the pillars are cubical, while the middle is octagonal.