Narthamalai is a cluster of small hills that lie 25 km from Trichy on the Trichy-Pudukottai highway in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Here you can see some of the oldest rock cut cave temples, as well as the longest rock-cut edicts, similar to Asokan edicts which are incredibly rare in the south of India. The town houses Vijayalaya Choleeswaram built during the 9th century. The two rock-cut temples are classic examples of how temple architecture styles were fusing in different parts of the country.
History
Narthamalai was ruled from the 7th to 9th centuries by the Mutharaiyars, who were feudatories of the Pallavas. The region was later captured by the Chola empire. Though the temple is called Vijayalaya Choleeswaram, the temple was originally built by Muttaraiyar lieutenant, Sattan Paliyili, during the seventh regnal year of Pallava king Nripatungavarman during 862 CE. As per some accounts, the temple is believed to have been built by the first king of the Chola empire, Vijayalaya Chola (848- 891 CE), but this view is highly debated. As per the inscriptions, immediately after the construction, the temple was damaged by rain and lightning. The restoration work was carried out by Tennavan Tamiladirayan, Pallan Anantan.
In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument.
The place was called Telinga-kula-kala-puram in the 11th century during the times of Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I.
The Brihadisvara Temple was built with the stones taken from this mountain during the time of the Chola Empire.
Tourism Narthamalai is located 11 miles away from Pudukottai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Narthamalai has six large statues of Lord Vishnu in the central hall as well as a life sized portrait of Lord Vishnu.
The Vijayalaya Choleeswaram temple at Narthamalai is one of the most notable structures in the Narthamalai hills. Vijayalaya Choleeswaram is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in the Nagara style of architecture and rock cut architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the 9th century by Muttaraiyar kings, the cardinals of Pallavas, with later expansion from the Cholas. The rock-cut architecture is an early example of Chola Art, continuing the tradition of the Pallavas. The other portions of Narthamalai house the 8th century Jaina Abode, the Aluruttimalai Jain Caves. There are also two rock-cut caves, one of which houses twelve life size sculptures of Vishnu. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest stone temples in South India.
See also Indian rock-cut architecture
Notes