Kottukal Cave Temple, Chadayamangalam, Kollam, Kerala

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 6^th and 8^th 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 7^th 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 6^th Thirumurai in 7^th Patikam in 5^th 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