India

Narthamalai

Early medieval rock-cut temples and stone shrine, Tamil Nadu

Location

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Historical Context

About

Narthamalai, a cluster of small hills, is 25 km from Trichy on the Trichy-Pudukottai highway in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Here can be seen some of the oldest rock cut cave temples, as well as the longest rock-cut edicts, similar to Asokan edicts and extremely rare in the south of India. The town houses Vijayalaya Choleeswaram built during the 9th century. The two rock-cut temples are classic examples of how temple architecture styles were fusing in different parts of the country.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Muttaraiyar rule

7th–9th centuries

Aluruttimalai Jain Caves

8th century

Vijayalaya Chola reign

848–891 CE

Temple construction (inscription)

862 CE

Place-name in Chola period

11th century

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Temples
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

StatuesInscriptionsReliefs
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Modified CavesRock Shelters
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

India

Coordinates

10.51° N, 78.76° E