Mahendravadi Cave Temple

By -
Site Name: Mahendravadi Cave Temple
Site Type: A Pallava period rock-cut temple
Location:  Mahendravadi, near Arakonam, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: A rock cut temple constructed during the period of Mahendravarma Pallava I
Nearest Railway Station: Arakonam
Nearest Airport: Chennai
How to reach: Well connected by road from Chennai/Arakonam
Hotel: Go to Kanchipuram or Chennai where there are lot of options 
Restaurants: Go to Kanchipuram or Chennai where there are lot of options

Mahendravadi is a small village located close to Arakonam near Chennai city in South India. The  village has a Pallava period cave temple.

Mahendravadi could have been an important city during the Pallava period. There was a huge tank and fort in this village in the olden days.

The cave temple in this village is an important one as it is the only cave temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which was constructed by Mahendravarman I (600-630 CE). This cave is excavated on a free standing boulder. The front facade of the east facing cave temple is supported on two pillars and two pilasters. The pillars are cubical on top and bottom with an octagonal intermediate portion. This cave shrine has two rows of pillars and pilasters.

The shrine is carved at the back wall of the cave. The entrance of the shrine has two Dwarapalaks as bas-relief images. The postures of these Dwarapalaks appear as if they are in motion and they are facing away from each other. The idol of Yoga Narasimha is placed inside the shrine; it is obviously a later addition. The original idol or stucco image is missing. 

The inscription found in this temple calls this place Mahendra Vishnu Graha. 

Happy travelling.





View Larger Map
Location: Mahendravadi, Tamil Nadu 632502, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more

Little known Nimishamba Temple of Chennai

By -
Image
Site Name:  Nimishamba Temple Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:   Kasi Chetty Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A rare temple of Nimishamba in Chennai city Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India Nearest Airport:   Chennai has both national and international airports How to reach:   Easily reachable by road as this is centrally located in the city Hotel:  Many star hotels, luxury hotels/resorts, and budget hotels are available in Chennai Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, North Indian, Punjabi,....- you can find everything in Chennai city Chennai is considered as the gateway to South India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu state of India has hundreds of tourist sites which include museum, British period monuments, temples, beach, etc. Let us explore a little known temple called Nimisham...
Read more

Hastinapuram Navapashanam Murugan Temple

By -
Image
Navapashanam is an amalgam of nine poisonous herbs. It is said to act as a remedy for all types of diseases. It is believed that the Siddhas knew the secret formula to prepare this medicinal potion.  The sculpture of Murugan from the famous Palani is claimed to be made of Navapashanam. Similarly, there is a lesser-known temple near Chennai, which has a Navapashanam Murugan. In Hastinapuram near Chrompet in the southern outskirts of Chennai, in a congested lane called Masjid Street, this tiny temple of Bala Murugan is situated. Murugan, made of Navapashanam, is the presiding deity.  Jalakandeeswara Linga, Meenakshi, and the Siddha who found this temple are the other Murtis found in the temple. Happy travelling.
Read more