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Thirunanthikarai Rock-cut Cave Temple
তিরুনন্দিককরা শিলা কেটে গুহা মন্দির
Kulasekharam / Marthandam, Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Ay Dynasty / Pandya Dynasty (9th century CE)Rock-cutHindu (Shaivism / Historic Jain)ASI-protectedAI Compiled
📷 Source: Public ArchiveAll copyright belongs to the original artist.
About
Thirunanthikarai Rock-cut Cave Temple (also spelled Thirunandikkara) is an ancient 9th-century rock-cut Hindu cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Thirunanthikarai near Kulasekharam in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. Carved into the southern granite slope of a hillock, the cave temple was commissioned during the reign of Ay King Vikramaditya Varaguna / Pandya Dynasty. It contains early South Indian mural frescoes, rock-cut pillars, and ancient Tamil-Grantha inscriptions detailing royal land donations. The site originally served as a 8th-century Jain ascetic retreat before transforming into a Shiva cave shrine. It is a Centrally Protected Monument under the ASI.