Just 6 km from Thiruvalla in Central Kerala lies an ancient rock cut temple located in Kaviyoor, carved on a huge rock and the carved rooms and sculptures are well preserved.
The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple, is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department.
The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple, is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department.
The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. The temple has a veranda with a sculpture of Lord Ganapathi carved into the wall and inner sanctum containing a tall Shivalinga, all carved out a one huge rock. It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture.
Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine, Lord Shiva, represented in the ' Shivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock.
The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.It was constructed during the rule of the Pallava dynasty who reigned over South India from 608 to 850 AD.
The rock, housing the cave, is actually called Thri-kal-kudi Paara. ( Thri / Thiru = Divine, Kal = Stone / Rock, Kudi = home / settlement, Paara = Rock / Boulder ).
Literally, this means cave settlement. The land surrounding the rock also was called 'Kal-kudi'. Still, there is a nearby piece of land by name 'Kakkudiyil', a corrupt form for 'Kalkudiyil'.
More corrupt forms (like Thrikkaakkudi, Thrikkokudi etc) are doing rounds as newer generations of people, defying rhyme and reason, use words, ignoring their etymological significance.
