Kottukal cave Temple

Last updated

Kottukkal Cave Temple
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Kollam
Deity Shiva Ling
Festivals Maha Shivaratri
Location
Location Kottukkal, Anchal
State Kerala
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
India Kerala location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Cave Temple, Kottukkal, Anchal, Kollam, Kerala
Geographic coordinates 8°53′22.5″N76°54′18.9″E / 8.889583°N 76.905250°E / 8.889583; 76.905250
Architecture
Type Rock-cut architecture
Specifications
Temple(s)One
Elevation72.53 m (238 ft)
Kottukal Cave Temple Kottukal cave templeDSC 0015.JPG
Kottukal Cave Temple

Kottukkal Cave Temple, also known as Kaltrikkovil in Malayalam, is an existing example of rock cut architecture, built between 6th and 8th centuries CE. It is situated in the village of Kottukkal, near Anchal, Kollam district, Kerala in India. The name Kottukkal (which means Kothiya Kallu- carved rock) is a reference to rock cut shrine. There are two caves of unequal size, both facing the east with the sculpture of the main deity Ganapathy in between. [1] The smaller cave has an idol of Hanuman and the larger one has a monolithic Nandi (bull) in it. [2] Lord Shiva is also a deity in the temple in the form of a Shiva Ling. [1]

Contents

According to local traditions, the big rock was brought to the area by the incarnations of Shiva including Nandi to the area, and another small rock near to it called 'chummaadu para' is believed to be the support to relieve the pain when the bigger hard rock kept in head. Historians read its origin back to the 7th century AD when 'Nedila Paranthaka Nedumchadayan' who ruled Chadayamangalam the nearby place, made the rock cut temple.

It is now situated in the centre of a large extent of paddy fields and daily rituals are done under Travancore Devaswom Board. The calmness and tranquility of the area attracts the travellers, and one can reach the spot travelling 45 kilometers from Kollam. [3]

Location

This Rock-cut temple is located with the geographic coordinates of 8°53′22.5″N76°54′18.9″E / 8.889583°N 76.905250°E / 8.889583; 76.905250 at an altitude of about 72.53 m above the mean sea level.

Architecture

The temple is made by carving out a gigantic piece of rock. This architectural is situated in the middle of paddy field and from a distance gives impression of a sleeping elephant. There are two 10 feet long and 8 feet wide rooms cut into the rocks and covered by a single rock overhead. The temple which has a Shiva linga flanked by Nandi and Sri Hanuman is believed to belong to the period of Pallava dynasty (8th century BC) and contemporaneous with the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram near Chennai. [4]

Access

From Thiruvananthapuram,

  1. the MC Road at Ayoor jn turn right, the road leading to Anchal, turn right at Anchal Kurishmoodu jn. then go through Kadakkal road via kottukal jn. (or)
  2. in MC road Manjappara which from Ayoor bridge then to the temple.

From Kollam, local roads lead to Ayoor first and at Ayoor jn. turn to Anchal road and turn right at Anchal Kurshinmoodu jn. and turn right to Kadakkal road via Kottukal jn.

The best and widest road is MC road -Ayoor Anchal road -Anchal Kadakkal road.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pataleshwar Caves, Pune</span> A Hindu cave temple in Pune

The Pataleshwar Caves, also referred to as the Panchaleshvara temple or Bhamburde Pandav cave temple, are an 8th-century rock-cut Hindu temple from the Rashtrakuta period located in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Dedicated to Shiva, it was a monumental monolithic excavation with a notable circular Nandi mandapa and a large pillared mandapa. It is a temple of three rock-cut cave sanctums, likely dedicated to Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu originally, but currently to Parvati-original Shiva-Ganesha. A garden now surrounds the site, new idols have been placed elsewhere in the complex. The interior of the caves have suffered damage from vandalism. Outside, the monument shows the effects of natural elements over the centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kadakkal</span> Settlement in Indian state of Kerala

Kadakkal is a historic city located in the eastern part of Kollam district, Kerala. It is 44 km away from both Kollam City and Thiruvananthapuram. State highway 64 passes through the town. Kadakkal is well known for the social revolutionary activities held in the pre-independent period of India. The town is an important business centre and is known for its Trade, Kadakkal Viplavam Kadakkal Riot Case, Festivals, Religious unity and spice production. Kadakkal is reachable through Nilamel, and is well connected to nearby villages like Anchal, Kilimanoor, Parippally and Madathara. Kadakkal is one of the place which facilitates the easiest roadway access to the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu and is one of the upcoming Municipalities in Kollam district. The town is only 50 km away from Tamil Nadu border, Trivandrum central and Kollam city.

Bettadapura is a village located in Mysore district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The name is derived from two Kannada words, "Betta" and "pura". Betta means "hill" and pura means "town". As per census survey of India 2011, the location code number assigned to Bettadapura is 618171.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayoor</span> Town in Kerala, Punalur

Ayoor is a Town in Edamulakkal Panchayath of Punalur Taluk, Kollam district, Kerala state, India. Ayoor is located on the M C Road or state highway One. Jadayu Nature Park, Chadayamangalam is only 3.5 km away from ayoor. 32 km east of Kollam City and 55 km north of Thiruvananthapuram City. But the travelling time from Trivandrum and kollam cities are almost same. Ayoor is 17 km south of Kottarakara, 19km from Punalur and Anchal is 8 km away. Chadayamangalam and Kadakkal lies south of Ayoor, 7 kilometer from Roaduvila

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anandavalleeshwaram Sri Mahadevar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Anandavalleeswaram Sri Mahadevar Temple in Kollam city is one of the ancient Hindu temples in Kerala, India. Lord Siva and Goddess Anandavally are the main deities of the temple. According to folklore, sage Parashurama has installed the idol of Lord Shiva. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala. It is located at Anandavalleeswaram, a major neighborhood of Kollam city, that comes to the west side of Kollam Collectorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple is one of the important Siva temples in Kerala, located in Kaviyoor, Tiruvalla Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. It is commonly called Thrikkaviyoor Mahadeva Temple. The main deity is Lord Mahadeva (Shiva) with Parvathi.The temple is well known for the Hanuman temple situated inside the temple complex. Kaviyoor Temple is one of the important Special Grade temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thevannoor</span> Village in Kerala, India

Thevannoor is a village near Ayoor in Kollam district, Kerala, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chadayamangalam</span> Town in Kerala, India

Chadayamangalam is a village located in Kollam district of Kerala state, India. It is located along the Ithikkara river and the MC road that passes across the major urban locations of Kerala. It acts as centre for Chadayamangalam block panchayat, gram panchayat and assembly constituency. It hosts numerous government institutions including hospitals, schools and police station. Chadayamangalam is well noticed for newly constructed Jatayu Earth’s Center, which is a tourism centre in the town with the world’s largest bird sculpture. The place is also referred to as Jatayumangalam.

Vettikkavala is a village located in the Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. The village is famous for Shiva-Vishnu temples which hosts a special deity called Vathukkal Njaali Kunju. An annual celebration of Pongala is held at the temple. The village is also well known for temple arts and a palace constructed by Sree Moolam Thirunal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trikkur Mahadeva Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple is a rock-cut cave temple in Trikkur village in Thrissur District in Kerala believed to have been built in the 7th or 8th century. Being a cave temple, Buddhist and Jain monks used the site to meditate alongside the Hindu monks. It is a protected monument under the Department of Archaeology, Govt of Kerala since 1966. The temple and its premises are now owned by Paliyam Trust which is managed by Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kadakkal Devi Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Kadakkal Devi Temple is situated at Kollam District, Kerala, India. Kadakkal village is in the eastern part of Kollam District, Kerala. Kadakkal is well known for the social revolutionary activities held in the pre-independent period of India. Kadakkal is an agriculture village and it is known for its spice production. Main agricultural cultivation include rubber, coconut, tapioca and pepper.

Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are the prominent religions in Kollam district. As per the Census 2011, out of the total population of 2,635,375 persons, 64.42% follow Hinduism, 19.30% follow Islam and 16.00% follow Christianity. Other religions comprise 0.04%, while 0.25% did not state any religion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punthalathazham</span> Neighbourhood in Kollam, Kerala, India

Punthalathazham is a landlocked neighbourhood of the city of Kollam in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located around six kilometres east of the core Kollam (Quilon) city towards Kannanalloor . This place has a little geographical importance and serves as the tail boundary of Kollam Municipal Corporation. Inhabitants belong to working and middle classes.

Valakom is a fast growing town located on Kerala State highway One, in the Kollam district of Kerala, India, with a population of 17928. It lies within Kottarakkara municipal town, Ummannoor and edamulackal Panchayat. Valkom is famous for menkari and kapa puzhikiyathu. In the Valakom market, anyone can buy and sell vegetables, fish and meat. The government library is located around 2 km from the place. Valakom consists of many schools, churches and temples.

Thudayannoor is a village located in Ittiva Grama Panchayath in the eastern part of Kollam district, Kerala state, India. It is 2 km away from Oil Pam India Ltd (plantation), 57 km from Trivandrum and 42 km from Kollam town. The Kadakkal - Anchal road passes through the village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilimarathukavu Temple</span> Hindu temple in Kerala, India

Kilimarathukavu Siva Parvathy Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kadakkal, Kollam, Kerala, India. The deities includes one of cult images of 'Dharma Sastha', an epithet of Ayyappan is also present within the temple.

Kaviyoor is a village located in Thiruvalla Sub-District & Taluk In Pathanamthitta district of Kerala State, India, situated on the western bank of the Manimala River.It Is Located Adjoining Thiruvalla Municipal Town.

Mannoor is a village in Ittiva Grama Panchayath located towards the west of Kollam district of Kerala, India. It is located on the west of the Main Central Road. The closest towns are Anchal and Punalur. The village is also close to Kadakkal, an agricultural village known for its spice production and the Kadakkal Devi Temple. Thiruvananthapuram, formerly Trivandrum, is 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Mannoor and is the closest airport. Kollam, formerly Quilon, the district headquarters, is 46 kilometres (29 mi) away.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kottukal Kal Thrikovil Cave Temple". ananthapuri.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Sreedhara Menon A. (2008). Cultural heritage of Kerala. D.C. Books, Kerala. p. 135. ISBN   9788126419036.
  3. ↑ "Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple". hampi.in. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  4. ↑ "Kottukal cave temple". www.cpreecenvis.nic.in. Retrieved 15 January 2022.

This article about Hindu place of worship in Kerala is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.