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*Caption: The Cover Photo.
#Mahabalipuram - POI - 03 - Rock-cut Shiva Temple (Atiranachanda Temple) - Zone -1 - TravellerG
Hi All,
This post is a member of the Mega - Series of 51 posts, about Mahabalipuram, created as a Total “Photo-Walk and Traveller Guide” covering all the “Tourist Destinations” of Mahabalipuram. The 51 POIs are grouped into 4 Zones & a few stand-alone monuments according to the location of monuments. In other words, if one visits 4 zones, all the important POIs can be covered (List of POIs - Here).
Introduction to Mahabalipuram:
Mahabalipuram is a picturesque historical coastal city in Tamil Nadu around 60 km from Chennai. One of India’s oldest cities. Mahabalipuram stands at the top of the popular tourist destinations in Asia.
The previous post (POI No -02) of this series about Thaniamarnthamman Temple is Here.
The next POI No -04 is ‘Tsunami Stone’, which is situated near to this monument, will be published shortly.
Zone Map:
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**Photo - 1. Caption: India Map & satellite map of the Zone - 1, Mahabalipuram.
POI - 03 - Rock-cut Shiva Temple
Location: This POI comes under Zone-1 behind the Thaniyamarnthamman Temple.
Officially known as the Atiranachanda cave temple (Rockcut Shiva Temple) is in Saluvankuppam (Zone -01), between Thniyamarthamman & Tsunami Stone. This is about 3 minutes walking distance from the car parking lot.
This boulder has a blank backside with a cave temple in a dipped area. There are steps to reach this temple from both sides. The Temple has a short porch with a sanctum in the middle with Dwarapala (Gatekeepers). The porch is supported by two (almost plain) pillars. Inside the sanctum is a highly polished, 16-sided, Shiva linga. The bas-relief on the back wall contains Shiva, Parvati and Muruga (on Parvati’s lap). On both sides of the sanctum, there are two primitive Somaskanda panels.
In the front, in the sand, there is another polished linga; and in the front of the linga, there is a boulder (2 m X 1 m) with rock relief of the Mahishasuramardini - looking like the prototype of the Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple.
Adjacent to the above boulder, there is a Nandi statue, made up of two stone pieces.
On both sides of the temple, there are inscriptions in the Sanskrit & South Indian Grantha alphabet (old Tamil - the inscriptions are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Parvati & Muruga) & is dated back to the 8th century.
Photo - 2. Caption: Facade of the rock-cut Shiva temple - a view from the east side of the temple ( the temple is east facing).
Photo - 3. Caption: A side view of the temple.
Photo - 4. Caption: The 16-sided Shiva Linga that is placed in the sanctum.
Photo - 5. Caption: The bas-relief on the back wall containing Shiva, Parvati and Muruga on Parvati’s lap.
Photo - 6. Caption: The primitive Somaskanda panel on both sides of the sanctum.
Photo - 7. Caption: Sculptures that are carved on a stone placed in the courtyard.
Photo - 8. Caption: Courtyard of the temple where the front Shiva Linga is placed. (The backside of the Thaniyamarnthamman Temple is seen in this shot)
Photo - 9. Caption: Temple courtyard with Nandi & Shiva Linga.
Photo - 10. Caption: A Nandi statue (in 2 pieces) that is in the front end of the temple.
Photo - 11. Caption: The Inscriptions (inscribed in Ancient Tamil ) on the left sidewall.
Photo - 12. Caption: Inscriptions (inscribed in Ancient Sanskrit ) on the right sidewall.
Accessibility: This POI is cannot access by Wheelchair as there are steps.
- The Google Maps link of the POI = Here
- Reference Link (Wiki) = Here
- Heritage Importance = 5/5
- Photographic Importance = 5/5
- Visit Priority = Important
- Monument Type = Cave Temple
- The Duration see the POI, = 15 minutes
- Entry: Free
- Visiting hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm.
- Photography: Since the sanctum is dark, it is better to shoot in the morning & noon hours; for clarity of the base relief on the back wall of the sanctum, we suggest you use a tripod.
Flash photography is prohibited in all the monuments of Mahabalipuram.
@Cecilita @venkatesh322 @renata1 @CAAG1959 @Saddam_1 @Shivsk007 @Clallen53 @plavarda @Gezendunyali @Sophia_Cambodia
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har har mahadev.
