An Army Of Clones

Entrance to the Cave Shrine 

Nine rocky hills sprout from the barren region in and around the small town named Narthamalai . The name Narthamalai comes from " Nagaratthar " the wealthy mercantile community , now called Chettiars , whose trade centers and guilds ( or Nagarams) , once functioned in the region that is now Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram districts .
Of the nine hills , the broadest one is known by many names : Narthamalai , Samanar Malai , Melamalai and Sivan Malai . On the summit of this bald outcrop are three ancient temples of different periods , two of them Rock Cut shrines .
The structural temple complex Vijayalayacholeewaram, built by a Muttharayar chief , dominates the ledge , from below which spreads an expanse of cultivated fields , sparse woods , bald rocks and wastelands right up to the horizon .

Opposite this temple , carved into the vertical face of a large outcrop , is the large rockcut shrine , called:

 Pathinen Bhoomi Vinnagaram . Also called Thirumerkoyil .

It consits of a small empty garbhagriham , fronted by a narrow ardhamantapam with two plain , square pillars . In this front cell stand 12 life sized , similar looking Vishnus, carved in deep relief on the rock wall , arrayed on either side of the entrance to the sanctum , like an army of Clones . Five each on either side of the entrance to the sanctum cell, two on the two lateral walls.  

                                                              The sculptures are amazing , with a magnetic appeal  , Well proportioned , with beautiful features .  All the figures are standing erect , wearing tall crowns . Each of them  holds  the discus as prayoga-chakra and the conch in upper hands ; the lower right hand shows Abhaya and the lower left is in katyavalambita mode , resting on thigh . Ornamentation on torso and limbs can be seen , but very faint .A broad yagnopaveeta is seen .  The lower garment reaching to the ankles, is folded in layers, with a sash tied at the waist, the ends of the sash falling in pleats by the hips, on either side. Very fine and intricate lines. Yet the cave itself bears an unfinished look, with the chisel marks of initial excavation still left as it was. on the side walls. 

There being no difference in the placement , attributes or posture , it cannot be assumed that the figures represent any  12 forms of Vishnu  like kesava, narayana, govinda etc . As the count of 12 suggests , they could be the Dwadasa-Adhityas . But thats  a mere guess .                                                            

The cave is dated to 8 or 9th Century CE .

Which god had occupied the sanctum ? Thats a mystery too , as only a damaged base remains.
But there is a very definitive inscription carved into the skirting  of the front platform that the cave shrine was excavated by Muttharayars , powerful vassals of the Pandyas , and grants were made to it by a lady of that Royal House . It also states unambiguously that it is a shrine dedicated to Shiva . 

During the succeeding century , there was conquests by the other power, The Chozhas . There  were frequent clashes of Faith between different creeds, with temples of one kind getting  vandalised or modified into the other kind . Those that were not repurposed just withered away. It is not known till which period this cave shrine enjoyed patronage.

The  cave is fronted by a  platform  which is the base of a pavilion that has vanished . Around the front of this pediment is a  lovely running frieze of bhootaganas and mythical animals , including a sphinx like creature with a mischievous smile. All very lively and frisky .

Outside the mukhamantapa are stored some broken images of saptamatrkas , ganesa and chandikesa / ayyanar.

 

A little way away from this cave is a smaller cave, with no ornamention ,But there is a shivalingam in the cell, with signs of daily worship.  Two dwarapala steles , from elsewhere, have been planted on either side of the cave . A very large tree fronts the cave.

There are no people around , except the ASI watchman and an old man reading hymns from a small book , in front of the smaller shiva cave. .

The place has a certain timelessness about it , a dreamy charm . But being inside a narrow , enclosure , surrounded by a battalion of grim celestial guardians standing in readiness to hurl the discus , is not a very cosy feeling . 

The mind boggles. Why was the shrine designed so ? What did the ancient artisans wish to convey ? For what was this remote shrine used ? why did it fall into disuse ? How did the presiding deity crumble , while  these twelve magnificent murthis survive  intact ?

How many more secrets are these enigmatic clones withholding through the millenium  ?