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[[File:Kottukal cave templeDSC 0015.JPG|thumb|Kottukal Cave Temple]]<br />
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'''Kottukkal Cave Temple''', also known as Kaltrikkovil in Malayalam, is an existing example of [[rock cut architecture]], built between 6th and 8th centuries CE. It is situated in the village of [[Kottukkal]], near [[Anchal]], [[Kollam district]], Kerala, India. The name Kottukkal (which means Kothiya Kallu- carved rock) is a reference to rock cut shrine. There are two caves of unequal size, both facing the east with the sculpture of the main deity [[Ganapathy]] in between.<ref name="Anantha">{{cite web | url=http://www.ananthapuri.com/kollam.asp?page=placesofinterests | title=Kottukal Kal Thrikovil Cave Temple | publisher=ananthapuri.com | access-date=11 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120052234/http://ananthapuri.com/kollam.asp?page=placesofinterests | archive-date=20 November 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The smaller cave has an idol of [[Hanuman]] and the larger one has a monolithic [[Nandi (bull)]] in it.<ref>{{cite book | title=Cultural heritage of Kerala | publisher=D.C. Books, Kerala | author=Sreedhara Menon A. | year=2008 | pages=135 | isbn=9788126419036}}</ref> Lord Shiva is also a deity in the temple in the form of a [[Shiva Ling]].<ref name="Anantha"/> <br />
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According to local traditions, the big rock was brought to the area by the [[incarnation]]s of [[Shiva]] including [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] to the area, and another small rock near to it called 'chummaadu para' is believed to be the support to relieve the pain when the bigger hard rock kept in head. Historians read its origin back to the 7th century AD when '[[Nedila Paranthaka Nedumchadayan]]' who ruled [[Chadayamangalam]] the nearby place, made the rock cut temple.<br />
It is now situated in the centre of a large extent of paddy fields and daily rituals are done under Travancore Devaswom Board. The calmness and tranquility of the area attracts the travellers, and one can reach the spot travelling 45 kilometers from Kollam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hampi.in/kottukal-rock-cut-cave-temple.shtml|title=Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple|publisher=hampi.in|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227213649/http://www.hampi.in/kottukal-rock-cut-cave-temple.shtml|archive-date=27 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
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== Access ==<br />
From [[Thiruvananthapuram]], the MC Road leads to Nilamel, and then [[Chadayamangalam]] then local roads leading to Manjappara which from [[Ayoor]] bridge then to the temple. From [[Kollam]], local roads lead to [[Ayoor]] first and from there to Kottukkal via Manjappara.<br />
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== References ==<br />
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==External links==<br />
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{{Tourism in Kerala}}<br />
[[Category:7th-century establishments in India]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kollam district]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu temples in Kollam district]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu cave temples in India]]<br />
[[Category:Caves of Kerala]]<br />
[[Category:7th-century Hindu temples]]<br />
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{{Kerala-hindu-temple-stub}}</div>->Jaysonsands