Vishnu Temple ( Kan Niraindha Perumal Temple, Malaiyadipatti )

Vishnu temple is located closer to the western end of the hillock. Malayadipatti Vishnu temple is called Olipathivishnu Vishnugraham. Over the centuries-long history of this temple, it has turned into complex of several structures. The rock-cut temple contains a huge amount of artwork – beautiful reliefs and sculptures, often covered with painted stucco. Paintings cover walls and ceiling. The presiding deity of this temple is Perumal, popular another name of Vishnu in Tamil Nadu. Temple though contains many more shrines for Vishnu, Shiva and other deities. Rock-cut temple itself consists of mukha-mandapa (verandah), ardha-mandapa (entrance chamber) and sanctum sanctorum (the main shrine). The ancient temple is entered through a row of two square pillars and pilasters at each side. Nearly whole surface inside the temple is covered with sculptures and reliefs, stucco and paintings. One wall is covered with a sculptural group showing the presiding deity – Kanniraintha Perumal (Vishnu) together with his consort Lakshmi (Nachiyar). Vishnu is holding a sangu (sacred conch) and chakra. They are joined by Brahma and Shiva as well as Nrsimhadeva and various other murtis (divinities). This relief is covered with stucco and painted. While the rock-cut cave has been made in the 8th – 9th century AD, stucco and paintings seem to be much younger – from the 16th – 17th century AD. On the western wall of mukha-mandapa Vishnu is shown in seated position together with his consorts – this relief is not cut in the main rock but fitted of three large separate stones. Another wall is covered with large relief showing reclining Vishnu with Brahmadeva in attendance above, sitting on a lotus. Gandharvas are flying around the head of Brahma’s head. This relief is cut from the cliff itself. Temple contains many more sculptures of different deities, for example, one wall is decorated with two large images of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. There is shown also goat-faced Thakkan. Ceiling is covered with beautiful paintings of the Dashavatara – ten incarnations of Vishnu. In the front of the cave temple there are stone reliefs showing three Azhwars and Vishvaksena – considered to be commander-in-chief of Vishnu’s army. Rock-cut temple is the oldest part of Shiva temple but in later time the front part of the cliff has got additions. There is built wall enclosure of large stone blocks. It is entered through a gate tower – gopuram. This structure is flat-roofed and ornamented with carvings of elephants, birds. At four corners there are projecting four makaras – mythological creatures comparable to chimeras. Wall enclosure extends from both sides of gopuram and extend up to the cliff monolith to the south. Eastern wall separates both rock-cut temples. Outside the gopuram entrance, to the left there is a sculpture of Ganesha sitting in a niche facing towards the north. Many deities in the temple were made of destructible materials – stucco-covered wood or stone. Thus there were made and installed additional murtis of resistant material – metal or stone – which serves for daily rituals. Vishnu cave contains 10 inscriptions. The earliest is made sometimes around 960 AD but it is not foundation inscription – thus the cave is older.