Kottukal Cave Temple,
Chadayamangalam, Kollam, Kerala
Kottukal 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 Ittiva
in Chadayamangalam Taluk in Kollam District of Kerala. The temple is also known
as Kottukal Kal Thrikovil Cave Temple. The name Kottukal means carved rock in
English (Kottiya Kallu in Malayalam). Kottukal rock cut cave architecture
typifies rock cut cave style of Kerala.
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The
rock cut cave temple is administered by Travancore Devaswom Board and this body
conducts daily pooja services. The state government of Kerala pronounced the
Kottukal cave owned by Travancore Devaswom Board as the protected monument in
1966.
Legends
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.
History
The Temple traces its origin
back to the 7th century AD when Nedila
Paranthaka Nedumchadayan who ruled Chadayamangalam the
nearby place, constructed this rock cut temple.
The Cave Temple
The rock cut cave complex has
two caves of uneven size. Both the caves are facing east. The larger cave has
an almost square sanctum and pillared mukha-mandapam (rectangular
hall). The rock cut façade has two massive supporting pillars. The smaller
cave opens an oblong sanctum and there is no pillared mandapam. The cave-temple
dedicated to Shiva. The sanctums have the monolithic Shiva lingams and the
celestial bull (Nandi) idol.
Another sanctum (niche) houses
the image of sthanaka Hanuman (Anjaneya), the monkey god. In between the two
caves there is a rectangular alcove like shrine housing the bas relief image of
Lord Ganapathy (Lord Pillaiyar). The cave temple complex also known for
its well that never dries up.
The cave hewn out from a
natural living hammock situated amidst paddy field. The hillock looks like
an elephant in a sitting position. Since the rock cut cave houses three
deities Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathy and Lord Hanuman, the name
"Thrikovil" emerges. The rare association of Shiva Lingam, Nandhi
and Anjaneya is seen only Kottukal and nowhere else in India such combination
exists.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this
Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 7th
Patikam in 5th Song.
செழுநீர்ப் புனற்கெடில வீரட்டமுந்
திரிபுராந் தகந்தென்னார் தேவீச்சரங்
கொழுநீர் புடைசுழிக்குங் கோட்டுக்காவுங்
குடமூக்குங் கோகரணங் கோலக்காவும்
பழிநீர்மை யில்லாப் பனங்காட்டூரும்
பனையூர் பயற்றூர் பராய்த்துறையுங்
கழுநீர் மதுவிரியுங் காளிங்கமுங்
கணபதீச் சரத்தார்தங் காப்புக்களே
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
8 Kms from Chadayamangalam, 13 Kms from Anchal, 32 Kms from Varkala Sivagiri
Railway Station, 33 Kms from Varkala, 34 Kms from Nedumangad, 44 Kms from Kollam,
44 Kms from Kollam Junction Railway Station, 46 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and
52 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Airport. This Cave Temple is located on the
Thiruvananthapuram – Kottayam MC Road. Kottukal is connected through local bus
service from Chadayamangalam and Anchal.
Location
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