Mamandur - Pallava Cave Temple
Mamandur is a small village located around 12 km from Kanchipuram in the Tamil Nadu state of India. The village is famous for the Pallava period rock-cut cave temples.
The first cave temple is the biggest among the three. This east-facing cave's front facade is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The pillars have cubical blocks at the top and the bottom, whereas the middle portion is octagonal. The corbels above the posts have very sharp curves. There are two rows of pillars and pilasters. Three cells are probably dedicated to the Trinity of Hinduism, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are three sets of Dwarapalas. There is no deity found inside the cells. However, the middle compartment has a Shiv Linga, which is definitely kept a few years ago.
The middle cell can be considered that of Shiva's based on the characteristics of the Dwarapalas, such as their jata bhara and clubs entwined with serpents.
The cell on the true left side of the middle has two Dwarapalas in similar attire. They have one arm resting on their waist, whereas the second arm is raised. This cell is probably dedicated to Vishnu.
The right side cell has two Dwarapalas in similar attire. They wear jata makuta and yagno pavita. Their faces are shown with a beard. They rest one arm on their waist and hold a lotus on their second arm. This cell probably belongs to Brahma.
There are two Chola period inscriptions found in the second cave. One is dated to Parantaka Chola I, and the other one belongs to the period of Rajaraja Chola I. The inscriptions call this site Vaaleeswaram and Uttara Vaaleeswaram.
The second cave temple is also east facing. Unlike the other cave temple, it has two pillars and two pilasters, but in a single row. There is one cell with no deity and no Dwarapala at the entrance. The pillars have cubical blocks at the top and the bottom, whereas the middle portion is octagonal. The lotus medallions are found on the top and bottom cubical faces. There is an inscription on the wall of the Mukha Mandapa, which belongs to Mahendravarma Pallava I's period (7th century CE).
The third cave is located at a little distance. I did not visit this cave, and hence I am unable to provide the details about the same. I heard there is also a fourth cave temple if we travel further southwards. I could not visit that too.
Happy travelling.
The first cave temple is the biggest among the three. This east-facing cave's front facade is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The pillars have cubical blocks at the top and the bottom, whereas the middle portion is octagonal. The corbels above the posts have very sharp curves. There are two rows of pillars and pilasters. Three cells are probably dedicated to the Trinity of Hinduism, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are three sets of Dwarapalas. There is no deity found inside the cells. However, the middle compartment has a Shiv Linga, which is definitely kept a few years ago.The middle cell can be considered that of Shiva's based on the characteristics of the Dwarapalas, such as their jata bhara and clubs entwined with serpents.
The cell on the true left side of the middle has two Dwarapalas in similar attire. They have one arm resting on their waist, whereas the second arm is raised. This cell is probably dedicated to Vishnu.The right side cell has two Dwarapalas in similar attire. They wear jata makuta and yagno pavita. Their faces are shown with a beard. They rest one arm on their waist and hold a lotus on their second arm. This cell probably belongs to Brahma.
There are two Chola period inscriptions found in the second cave. One is dated to Parantaka Chola I, and the other one belongs to the period of Rajaraja Chola I. The inscriptions call this site Vaaleeswaram and Uttara Vaaleeswaram.
The second cave temple is also east facing. Unlike the other cave temple, it has two pillars and two pilasters, but in a single row. There is one cell with no deity and no Dwarapala at the entrance. The pillars have cubical blocks at the top and the bottom, whereas the middle portion is octagonal. The lotus medallions are found on the top and bottom cubical faces. There is an inscription on the wall of the Mukha Mandapa, which belongs to Mahendravarma Pallava I's period (7th century CE).
The third cave is located at a little distance. I did not visit this cave, and hence I am unable to provide the details about the same. I heard there is also a fourth cave temple if we travel further southwards. I could not visit that too.
Happy travelling.
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