Kudumiyanmalai Temple
Kudumiyanmalai Temple
5
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5.0
16 reviews
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15
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kamalavy
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia33 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Temple is located about 20km from Pudukottai. We took a rickety bus from the central bus stand in Pudukottai. After weaving through numerous villages for an hour, we arrived at Kudumiyan Malai (Hill) at 4pm for evening pradosham ceremony. Temple is 3 minutes walk from bus stop area. It is surrounded by a village and a small group of villagers were at the simple ceremony. We were treated like family by them and the priest. Unlike our sometimes unpleasant experiences in bigger temples which are more like commercial businesses. There were no bothersome requests from the priest. He even tried to show us the "kudumi" (hair) on the linga ! Which we could not see due to the dim light !!
The temple itself is a sprawling structure adjacent to the monolith hill. It has numerous pillars with magnificent huge sculptures of Hindu god and goddesses such as Ganesha, the elephant God, Murugan on his peacock vehicle, Shiva in tandava pose, Narasimha, Ravana etc. Some of the carvings were damaged in ancient wars. The main deity is Shiva in linga form and his consort is located in another sanctum.
We were blessed to be invited to view the upper rock cut temple at the back which is usually kept locked. A rock cut Ganesha greeted us. Huge bee hives adorned the top of this area. The 63 Saivite Nayanmars (hindu saints) were carved in a row high on the hill itself in a unique style with Shiva and his consort in the middle. The temple itself was in darkness but we could see the beautiful life sized carved "smiling" dwarapalas (guardians) and the simple linga. Prayers are only conducted in this sanctum on full moon days.
We explored the rest of the temple complex and took the bus around 8pm back to Pudukottai. A delightful and spiritually uplifting experience. Highly recommended.
The temple itself is a sprawling structure adjacent to the monolith hill. It has numerous pillars with magnificent huge sculptures of Hindu god and goddesses such as Ganesha, the elephant God, Murugan on his peacock vehicle, Shiva in tandava pose, Narasimha, Ravana etc. Some of the carvings were damaged in ancient wars. The main deity is Shiva in linga form and his consort is located in another sanctum.
We were blessed to be invited to view the upper rock cut temple at the back which is usually kept locked. A rock cut Ganesha greeted us. Huge bee hives adorned the top of this area. The 63 Saivite Nayanmars (hindu saints) were carved in a row high on the hill itself in a unique style with Shiva and his consort in the middle. The temple itself was in darkness but we could see the beautiful life sized carved "smiling" dwarapalas (guardians) and the simple linga. Prayers are only conducted in this sanctum on full moon days.
We explored the rest of the temple complex and took the bus around 8pm back to Pudukottai. A delightful and spiritually uplifting experience. Highly recommended.
Written 21 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeevan R
Bengaluru, India4 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
Amazing architecture. One of the oldest temple in Tamil Nadu with amazing history. This is the temple where the marriage of many Kings happened.
Backside of the temple is usually closed. The person from Archeological Survey of India need to open and show you. It has some old Tamil Script during the time of Mahendravarma 1 and very old lingam sculpted from rock.
Chola, Pandiya, Pallava, Nayakar have all contributed to this temple.
Bus frequency is low, we caught an auto from a 30 minute walk from Sittanavasal.
Backside of the temple is usually closed. The person from Archeological Survey of India need to open and show you. It has some old Tamil Script during the time of Mahendravarma 1 and very old lingam sculpted from rock.
Chola, Pandiya, Pallava, Nayakar have all contributed to this temple.
Bus frequency is low, we caught an auto from a 30 minute walk from Sittanavasal.
Written 10 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
great4traveller
448 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Very great Temple. This place is around 20km from Pudukkottai. There is a Shiva Linga sculptured in a rock. There is a Mandap with 500 pillars. Never miss this Temple.
Written 26 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karthik_Balaswamy
Chennai (Madras), India80 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
A place that you can see Pallava, Pandya, Chola and Naik art and architecture. Best if you can get the local pujari to take you through the entire complex. Be-Aware that there are a lot of monkeys in and around the temple - so park your car at a safe distance away from the entrance. Within the temple, keep your belongings close.
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bala Tripura S
Bengaluru, India3,772 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
I ignored this temple when i went to Kodumbalur as i am unaware about this marvellous temple.After came back from Moovarkoil i felt very bad that i missed this temple but i promised myself that i will visit this temple next time.
Finally i could go to this temple this month and i could not come out of this temple.After entering this temple we can see 1000 pillar mandapa on both sides of main hall and varanda constains the very big sculptures of Lord narasimha,Ganesha,Murugan,Hanuman and many more.Behind this temple there is a musical stone
Finally i could go to this temple this month and i could not come out of this temple.After entering this temple we can see 1000 pillar mandapa on both sides of main hall and varanda constains the very big sculptures of Lord narasimha,Ganesha,Murugan,Hanuman and many more.Behind this temple there is a musical stone
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chitharanjanl
Chennai (Madras), India107 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
One of the temple carved in the rocks from nearby mountain. Not crowded and maintenance needs to be improved. This is an historical temple of Lord Shiva with good sculptures. Approximately 15 to 20 kms from Pudukottai. Visit if you have spare time.
Written 3 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ram
Chennai (Madras), India36 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Earlier we planned for a Half hour time there, but looking at the sculptures we spent more than a hour there enjoying the beauty of the temple. Lot of Inscriptions too and really mesmerized by the beauty of it. There is a Rock cut temple and Musical steps just behind this temple, but it has been closed in the time we spent there(Between 7 AM to 9 AM). We have requested the person out there to open it as it was usual time to open the temple but he refused saying he is busy. We even said we are from Chennai just to see this temple, yet he was harsh and refused.
Written 14 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ganapathy s
Tiruchirappalli, India77 contributions
Dec 2015 • Family
THE temple is an architectural marvel,public transport is rare,but you could travel by car from trichy,very peacefull surroundings one can also go trekking in the near by hill,a famous sitthar Chatrusamharamoorthy swamigal stayed there for some time.
Written 31 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venkataraman R
Chennai (Madras), India241 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
This temple is built in multiple generations right from Chola period to till Nayak period. Some of the beautiful idols are mutilated due to muslim invasion. Still, many of the idols are left untouched. There are many small shrines inside the temple for Lord Shiva, built during chola times and nayak times. There is a rock cut temple for Lord shiva, which is magnificant. There are also 63 nayanmars inscription in the hillock near the temple.
There is also 100 pillar hall. There is also musical notes inscription, which is around 7th century. Surprised to see the knowledge of musical notes around that time. Overall, very good temple to visit for its sculptures, rock cut temple, musical inscription.
There is also 100 pillar hall. There is also musical notes inscription, which is around 7th century. Surprised to see the knowledge of musical notes around that time. Overall, very good temple to visit for its sculptures, rock cut temple, musical inscription.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AARVAM
Pondicherry, India6 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Must visit place. Take the help of ASI staff at the temple, to realise the beauty of art, and the information about the temple. The first edition of the Carnatic Music grammer, inscription is in this place. We can know about the Devadasi culture in this temple. Best place to understand Stone Art.
Written 16 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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