Introduction

Kudumiyanmalai temple is an architectural find, some 50 kilometers (31.25 miles) from Trichy. A route lined with lush cashew trees brings you to Kudumiyanmalai, where you will be faced with a rocky spur on whose lap the temple nestles. It is an ancient Shiva temple with some curious inscriptions and beautiful sculptures, currently under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Lord Shikhagirishwarar and Goddess Akhilandeshwari are the presiding deities here. Before getting on with the architectural features of the temple, take a closer look at the gopuram (spire). The sculptural work on it is extremely minute and rich. The temple sanctum was built by the Cholas, but the architectural expansion on its exteriors was taken up by the Pandyas in the 13th century and the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century.

There is an interesting legend associated with the temple, according to which, King Sundarapandian visited the temple every evening for the puja. And it was customary for the priest to hand out the prasad (offering to the deity later distributed among devotees as prasad) to the king. It was very late one evening, and the king had not arrived yet. The closing time of the temple was also approaching, and the priest was beginning to worry about what to do with the prasad. He decided to give it away to the dasis (temple dancers). Just as the dasis were leaving with the prasad, the king entered the shrine. On seeing the king, the priest gave him the flowers worn by the dasis in their hair. On seeing a strand of hair in the flowers, the king was enraged and asked the priest about it. For the fear of getting punished, he replied that the hair was from Lord Shiva’s head. Further infuriated by the answer, the king locked the priest in the temple, and said he would return in the morning to see if the lord really had hair. Worried, the priest prayed all night to the lord. When the king arrived in the morning, he found a hair on the Shivalingam. On trying to pull it out, blood started oozing out from the lingam.

Right from the entrance of the temple to the sanctum sanctorum, the corridor is lined on either side with pillars adorned with beautiful sculptures. Among them are sculptures of Lord Hanuman and various avatars of Lord Vishnu. In the inner corridor, you will come across depictions of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, Lord Vinayaka, Muruga and Narasimha among other deities from Hindu mythology. A lot of these sculptures are in ruins, like with a broken arm or crown. The shrine of Goddess Akhilandeshwari is adjacent to that of Shikhagirishwarar. However, the present idol of the goddess is a replaced one, as the old one got badly damaged.

Stop by to admire the hexagon-shaped mandapam made of a single piece of stone. In olden days, the king was crowned here. Look up the pillared mandapam outside the temple, an old-world aura is all pervasive. A row of columns without the support of a roof starts beyond this mandapam and stops in front of the Nandi shrine housed in a little mandapam.

Do make a visit to the cave temple up the hill.

Special Attributes

The sculptures at this ancient temple are awe-inspiring, and speak worlds for the architectural genius of the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara dynasties.

Nuisance

Monkeys

Dressing restrictions

Dress modestly. Avoid wearing short or revealing clothes since it is a religious site.

Connectivity

Private taxi

Enjoyed by

History Lovers, Art and Sculpture enthusiasts

Exposure

You will mostly be in the shade.

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

The sculptures are ancient and an architectural treasure. Take care and be gentle while examining them.

Type of site

Hindu shrine/ temple site