| Kottukkal Cave Temple | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kollam |
| Deity | Shiva Ling |
| Festivals | Maha Shivaratri |
| Location | |
| Location | Kottukkal,Anchal |
| State | Kerala |
| Country |  India |
| Coordinates | 8°53′22.5″N76°54′18.9″E / 8.889583°N 76.905250°E /8.889583; 76.905250[1] |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Rock-cut architecture |
| Specifications | |
| Temple | One |
| Elevation | 72.53 m (238 ft) |
Kottukkal Cave Temple, also known as Kaltrikkovil in Malayalam, is an existing example ofrock cut architecture, built between 6th and 8th centuries CE. It is situated in the village ofKottukkal, nearAnchal,Kollam district,Kerala inIndia. The name Kottukkal (which means Kothiya Kallu- carved rock) is a reference to rock cut shrine. There are two caves of unequal size, both facing the east with the sculpture of the main deityGanapathy in between.[1] The smaller cave has an idol ofHanuman and the larger one has a monolithicNandi (bull) in it.[2] Lord Shiva is also a deity in the temple in the form of aShiva Ling.[1]
According to local traditions, the big rock was brought to the area by theincarnations ofShiva includingNandi 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. Historians read its origin back to the 7th century AD when 'Nedila Paranthaka Nedumchadayan' who ruledChadayamangalam the nearby place, made the rock cut temple.
It is now situated in the centre of a large extent of paddy fields and daily rituals are done underTravancore Devaswom Board. The calmness and tranquility of the area attracts the travellers, and one can reach the spot travelling 45 kilometers from Kollam.[3]
This Rock-cut temple is located with thegeographic coordinates of8°53′22.5″N76°54′18.9″E / 8.889583°N 76.905250°E /8.889583; 76.905250 at an altitude of about 72.53 m above the mean sea level.
The temple is made by carving out a gigantic piece of rock. This architectural is situated in the middle of paddy field and from a distance gives impression of a sleeping elephant. There are two 10 feet long and 8 feet wide rooms cut into the rocks and covered by a single rock overhead. The temple which has aShiva linga flanked by Nandi and SriHanuman is believed to belong to the period ofPallava dynasty (8th century BC) and contemporaneous with theShore Temple atMahabalipuram nearChennai.[4]
FromThiruvananthapuram,
FromKollam, local roads lead toAyoor first and at Ayoor jn. turn to Anchal road and turn right at Anchal Kurshinmoodu jn. and turn right to Kadakkal road via Kottukal jn.
The best and widest road is MC road -Ayoor Anchal road -Anchal Kadakkal road.
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