At a distance of 1 km from Thirumalapuram Bus Cease, 24 km Tenkasi and 62 km from Tirunelveli, The rock minimize cave temples are located on the hill of Thirumalapuram also referred to as Varanasimalai in Sankarankovil Taluk of Thirunelveli District. These historic Cave temples at the moment are beneath the safety of Archaeological Survey of India.
There are two rock minimize cave temples that are excavated by Pandyan Kings in 750 AD. Among the many two caves one is completed and different is unfinished. The completed one is extra important with rectangular ardha-mandapa with a flight of steps and cells on the western partitions. It incorporates bas-relief sculptures and two inscriptions from Pandyan interval.
This temple has three sections with three bas-relief constructions. The primary one is an exquisite dancing Siva with a bhootha gana and bull on either side. Lord Shiva is seen in dancing posture of Chatura. A dwarf close to his foot performs the musical instrument. Second carving is a standing Lord Vishnu with four fingers and a couple of seated bhootha ganas on both sides with sankha and chakra on higher two fingers. Seated Ganesha is seen subsequent to him. On one facet is the sanctum sanctorum with a Siva Lingam. On both sides of the doorway of sanctum sanctorum are dwarapalakas. There may be one other reduction sculpture of Brahma with four fingers and three seen heads. On the centre of the corridor, going through the Siva Linga is a monolith Nandi which is in damaged state.
These figures in these temples are glorious examples of Pandyan artwork. An inscription of 12th century mentions a present of land to the temple by a prince named Chakravartin Srivallabhadeva.
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM