• Jan 25 2016
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Kaviyoor Rock Cut Temple

Thrikkakkudy cave temple dedicated to Lord Siva is one of the oldest cave temples of Kerala. The entire construction resembles the Pallava art tradition and it is believed to have belonged to the latter half of the 8th century. This cave temple facing the west comprises of a central shrine with a Sivalinga, an Ardhamandapa and a pillared facade. The cave is 19 feet 8 inches wide and 8 feet 6 inches high.  Two pillars of 8 feet 8 inches in height gave out three cave openings of which two caves are of 5 feet in width and the other is that of 4 feet 8 inches. A cylindrical rock cut Siva linga is enshrined in the central shrine. The rectangular hall in front of the sanctum measures 19 feet 8 inches by 5 feet. Inside the square-shaped garbhagriha Sivalinga is mounted on rectangular Peeda.  On the north and south walls of the Ardhamandapa there engraved figures like Chathurbhuja Ganapathy and a born sage respectively. Among the two Dwarapalaka figures one is of a local chieftain and the other carrying a 'gada.' It was declared as protected monument in 1965.