കോട്ടുക്കൽ ഗുഹാക്ഷേത്രം

Kottukal Cave Temple

Useful Information

Location:	Anchal - Chunda Rd, Kottukkal, Kerala 691306. (8.8894728, 76.9052679)
Open:	After appointment. During service. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	A=72.53 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Kottukal Cave Temple, Anchal - Chunda Rd, Kottukkal, Kerala 691306, Tel: +91-1800-425-4747. Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033, Tel: +91-471-2321132, Fax: +91-471-2322279. E-mail:
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History

Description

കോട്ടുക്കൽ ഗുഹാക്ഷേത്രം (Kottukkal Guhaakshethram, Kottukal Cave Temple) is a rather small but quite exceptional cave temple. It was cut into a round hill, which looks quite exceptional, with two caves of similar size, both facing east. The chambers which were cut into the rock are 3 m long and 2.4 m wide. Both have a sort of open antechamber, which is separated by a wall with a door from the room behind. They are sheltered by the overhanging rock ledge. Between the two entrances is the sculpture of the main deity Ganapathy. It was cut into the rock, and so it is located in its own small rock cut chamber. The smaller cave contains an idol of Hanuman, the larger one a monolithic Nandi sculpture. Lord Shiva is represented by a Shiva Lingam.

The big rock was brought to the area by the incarnations of Shiva including Nandi. Another small rock nearby is called chummaadu para and was the support to relieve the pain, when they carried the bigger rock.

The age of the temple is unknown, most likely it was created between 6th and 8th century during the reign of the Pallava dynasty. One theory is that the cave temple was built during the reign of Nedila Paranthaka Nedumchadayan over nearby Chadayamangalam during the 7th century.

Both the temple and the village are named Kottukkal, from Kothiya Kallu which means carved rock. In the local language Malayalam it is also named Kaltrikkovil or Kal Thrikovil. Located in a paddy field, the bulbous form of the rock looks like a mostly covered pear, Indians tend to compare it with a sleeping elephant. The whole area is a fertile plain used for agriculture, there The surrounding lawn was lately plastered, probably in 2021. The caves were freely accessible, but then railings were installed in front, for unknown reasons. Due to the plastering, those railings were removed, but it seems the caves now have doors, and the place is surrounded by a low wall. Unfortunately, we were not able to find open hours for the temple. The outside is visible from the other side of the wall without restrictions.

The cave temple is small but quite unique. It is slightly off the main circuit, which has kept it from becoming a tourist hotspot. Nevertheless, the paved floor and the closed door are a sign of increasing visitor numbers. The temple is still used for its religious purpose by the locals.