Tiger's Cave - Mamallapuram

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Tiger’s Cave is a place where you can find rock-cut temples and sculptures but not tigers. :-)

Tiger’s Cave is located in a village named Saluvankuppam, which is about 5 kms from Mamallapuram towards the direction to Chennai. 

Tiger’s Cave is a unique cave shrine that is different in style from the other monuments of Mamallapuram. 

The southeast-facing structure is cut at the height of 6 feet from the ground level. The pavilion is closed on all three sides, and a 4 feet deep and 6 feet high cavity is excavated in the front. There are stairs to reach the high-raised platform. Lion parapets on either sides support them. The two lion pilasters with a female rider on the rearing lion are important features of the site. 

Around the central cell, a surrounding garland-like arrangement of eleven yazhis (a mythological animal) is found. Interestingly, some scholars believe that this pavilion might have been used as a festival pavilion during Indira Vizha (festival of Indra). There are references to Indra Vizha in ancient Tamil books such as Silappadikaram.

The south-facing side of the rock has two big elephant heads and an unfinished horse. The north-facing side of the rock has a big lion with an incomplete figure carved in its stomach. The site, which is believed to have been built by Rajasimha Pallava, is an ideal destination for nature lovers and art lovers.

If you do not visit this place, you are certainly missing something.

Happy travelling.

Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.





Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

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