Malayadipatti rock-cut cave temples of Gods Shiva and Vishnu, TN: This monument need urgent attention and restoration

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 Situated 36 km from Trichy, 39 km from Thanjavur, and 42 km from Pudukkottai, the Malayadipatti Rock-Cut Temples are remarkable examples of early Dravidian cave architecture nestled on a granite hillock south of Malayadipatti village, also known as Thiru Valattur Malai. These granite outcrops could be of Precambrian  age, geologically speaking These temples, lesser-known yet historically rich, are among the most important heritage sites in Tamil Nadu and make a worthy stop on any cultural tour around Trichy 9 fmous for rrock-cut ock fort temples and others) and Thanjavur, famous for more than 1000 year old  Bragadeshwar temple built by King Raja Raja Chola I.

Vishnu temple, Malayadipatti Rock-Cut temple.thehindu.com

Above image: According to The Hindu dated June 09,2011  The neglected rock-cut temple shrine of Anantha Padmanabhaswamy at Malayadipatti, Tamil Nadu, needs to be repaired and restored refurbished.  The rock cut cave temple  dates back to around 1200 years to the late eighth century A.D./early ninth century A.D.

God Shiva Malayadipatti Rock-Cut temple,TN tumblr.com

God Vishnu,Malayadipatti Rock-Cut Temples,TN 
puratattva.in

 Malayadipatti Rock-Cut Temples, Tamil Nadu  rawell.in/

There are two distinct rock-cut temples on the same hill—one dedicated to Lord Shiva and the other to Lord Vishnu. The Shiva temple, called Vakeeswarar, is attributed to the Pallava period, built in the 8th century CE by Kuvavan Sathan, as recorded in inscriptions. This temple, locally known as Alathurthali, features a pillared rock-cut mandapa, a sanctum carved in cubical form, and an open courtyard added in a later period. Carvings of Ganesha, Murugan, and Nandi adorn the mandapa, while the entrance is guarded by dwarapalakas. A rare Saptamatrika panel between Veerabhadra and Ganesha, and a Shiva Lingam carved from the rock face, add uniqueness to this shrine.

On the western side lies the Vishnu temple, known as Olipathivishnu Vishnugraham, which contains a striking 15-ft-long image of Anantha Padmanabha in a reclining posture (Anantha Sayanam) on Adisesha, the serpent. The inner walls and ceilings are decorated with rich stucco sculptures, paintings, and frescoes, likely created during the 16th–17th centuries under Nayaka influence. These include depictions of Dashavatara, Brahma on a lotus, Lakshmi, Shiva, Narasimha, and even celestial beings like Gandharvas. The temple has ten inscriptions from the Chola period, dating back to 960 AD, indicating royal patronage.

In addition, there are three Jain caves nearby, dating back to the 3rd–4th century CE, which once housed monks. Two of them contain ancient sculptures, while another has a white lime painting of a human and a bird, adding to the site’s multi-religious legacy and archaeological significance.

https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/cave-temple-cries-for-attention/article2090357.ece

http://prececenvis.nic.in/Database/MalayadipattiRockcutTemples_2934.aspx

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