Sri Ranganatha Perumal Temple, Namakkal
History
The temple is considered to be built around the 6th and 7th century CE by the Satyaputra kings in rock-cut architecture. P.R. Srinivasan has placed it at 6th century. Most of the historians have compared the temples with similar architectural elements found in Badami Caves (6th century) and a possible influence. There are few inscriptions in the temple, especially an undated inscription in Grantha Characters of Sanskrit in the temple which are similar to the inscriptions in the Ganesha Ratha in Mahabalipuram. There are totally four main inscriptions in this Ranganatha temple, the first main inscription mentions it as Adiyanatha Vishnu Grham by Gunasila King and Adiyendra Vishnu Gruham which evidently shows that the cave was excavated by the Satyaputra kings, apart from these inscriptions another was discovered, this inscription not only confirms this but also mentions the king's name as Gunasila (Dated 500 CE to 600 CE). Historians believe it is possible that both the temples were built during the same period. The sanctum sanctorum is mentioned as Sayanagrham the main deity is Lord Vishnu sleeping in Anantashayana pose, with all the Gods Worshiping him, The inscriptions details the gods like Shiva, Brahma, Varuna, Narada worshiping Vishnu, there are various rock-cut panels of Sri Vaishnavism in the temple and 12 birudas of King Gunasila inscribed in this Cave. The panels show high architecture which has Thrivikrama, Bala or Kevala Narasimha, Hari Hara. The records of the details of the inscriptions are found in the Annual report of Epigraphy -1961.
References
- ^ https://www.tnarch.gov.in/Library%20BOOk%20PDF/NAMAKKAL%20CAVES.pdf
- ^ V.G., Rajan (December 1999). "Nr̥siṁha Cave Temple at Nāmakkal: Its Iconographical Significance". East and West. 49 (1/4). Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (IsIAO): 189–194. JSTOR 29757426.
- ^ Rajan, V. G. (19 February 1999). "Nr̥siṁha Cave Temple at Nāmakkal: Its Iconographical Significance". East and West. 49 (1/4): 189–194. JSTOR 29757426.
- ^ Michell, George (2013). Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums. Roli Books Private Limited. pp. 398–99. ISBN 9788174369031.
- ^ P.R., Srinivasan (1961). "Sculptures in the Two Rock-Cut Vaiṣṇava Cave Temples of Nāmakkal". Artibus Asiae. 24 (2). Artibus Asiae Publishers: 107–116. doi:10.2307/3249275. JSTOR 3249275.
- ^ "Epigraphia-indica".
- ^ "Epigraphia-indica".