Treat to Our Eyes - Kan Niraindha Perumal Temple, Malaiyadipatti

Tamil Nadu have many surprises for heritage and spiritual connoisseurs. Millennium old temple and their evolution is one interesting subject to delve into. I got curious when I got to know about a cave temple, located within 40 Kms from Thanjavur. It is the Malayadipatti rock-cut cave temple of Ananta Padmanabha Swamy temple, which is known as the Kan Niraindha Perumal Temple. There is also a Shiva Temple, Vageesamudaiyar temple just adjacent to the Vishnu shrine and is older than the latter

Kan Niraindha Perumal Temple Entrance

The inscriptions in the Shiva temple addresses Dantivarma Pallavan, with which the temple can be dated to be built in the 8^th century CE. The shrine of both Lord Shiva and Vishnu are carved out of the same rock. As usual, the shrine of Lord Shiva is simple and divine, while Lord Vishnu’s shrine is the actual treat to our eyes. The shrine of Vageesamudaiyar predates the shrine of Ananta Padmanabha Swamy.

Vageesamudaiyar Shrine shelters one of the earliest Sapta Matrika panels in the temple sculptures. In the same panel, there is Veerabhadrar and Ganesha at each end. This Sapta Matrika panel is unique and is an important development aspect of this sculptural representation. There are some pillars with beautiful floral patterns and interesting inscriptions. The Chola period inscriptions addresses the deity as Vageeswara and renovations done by Sundara Chola.

Simha Pillar of Pallava Era in the sanctum of Lord Vishnu

The Vishnu shrine, facing north has a huge sanctum. The Sthala Sayana Perumal is also known as Sri Ranganathar. He could be easily 15-20 ft. in length and is similar to that of the main deity at the Thiruvananthapuram Ananta Padmanabha Swamy. This Shrine also shelters Ugra Narasimha, Hayagriva, Vaikuntanathar with his consorts Bhoo Devi and Sri Devi, Pundarikaksha Perumal, Garudan near the Perumal, Brahma from the Nabhi of the Perumal, demons Madhu and Kaitabha, Rishi Diwakara and a Lakshmi Narayana with many other processional deity.

As you enter the sanctum, you can see majestic Simha Pillars of the Pallava period. 2 Pillars in front of the Sri Ranganathar which makes the shrine to resemble that of the shrine at Thiruvananthapuram. Outside the shrine of Lord Vishnu, his consort Kamalavalli Thayar’s shrine is built by Achyutappa Nayak of the Thanjavur Nayaks. 

Sapta Kannika Panel in Vageesamudaiyar Temple

Worshipping the Lord Ananta Padmanabha here, helps one to recover from the ailments of eyes and for couple to be blessed with a child. Hayagrivar blesses the devotees for good knowledge, wisdom and education.

Coming around the area of the temple, we can climb the simple hillocks. We can see different signs being carved in the rock on ground. Then there is a butter ball like rock, under which there is again an inscription. The whole temple complex and the view from the top of the hillocks is a peaceful sight for us to relax after a breathtaking and crowd-free Dharshan of both Sri Ranganatha aka Kan Niraindha Perumal and Vageesamudaiyar.

Malayadipatti Butterball

Temples like these are partially left unexplored. People can have a relaxed Dharshan without too much crown unlike the one in Sri Rangam or in any other mainstream temple. Though this temple is located in a remote location, you can reach this temple from Chathram Bus stand of Trichy to Thuvakkudi and then change another bus from there. It is easily located when you commute by personal vehicles. One should visit this majestic shrine at least to witness the grand shrine and also for the beautiful sight from the hillocks.

Contact- Narayana Bhattar: 9944313275

Yours East Gaterr