Mamallapuram Kotikal Mandapa

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Site Name: Kotikal Mandapa
Site Type: Pallava architecture, cave temple, sculpture
Location:  1.5 kms from bus stand, Mamallapuram, near Chennai (55 kms from Chennai), Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: A little known but beautiful cave temple of Pallava era
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai
Nearest Airport: Chennai
How to reach: Well connected by road from Chennai
Hotel: A lot of options are available within Mamallapuram and East Coast Road outside the town
Restaurants: Many options and varieties across the town

Mamallapuram, the city of Pallava period monuments, is dotted with a lot of popular and less known rock cut temples, structural temples, monolithic rathas and bas relief panels. Kotikal Mandapa is a cave temple located near Trimurti cave temple slightly away from the center of the town (Krishna's butter ball is located at the center of the town).



Kotikal Mandapa is very small cave temple. It is a single cell shrine. Currently there is no idol is found in the cell. However, it is obvious that it would have been dedicated to the Goddess Durga as the entrance is flanked by two female Dwarapalaks on either sides. One female is holding a sword whereas the other one is holding a bow.

The small mandapa (hall) in the front side is supported with two thick pillars and pilasters.

Happy travelling.





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