Mandagapattu Tirumurti Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Mandagapattu in the Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. Hewn from rock by the Pallava ruler Mahendravarman I in honour of the trinity Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu, the rock-cut cave temple is the oldest stone shrine discovered and dated in Tamil Nadu.[1][2] The temple is notable for the earliest known rock-cut Sanskrit inscription written in Grantha script. It is attributed to the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (600–630 CE).[3]
The inscription reads:
- EtadanishTamadrumamalOhamasudham vichitra chitEna nirmA pitanrupENabrahmEsharaviShNulakSitAyanam
Transliteration into Devanagari script:
- अतद्निष्टकंद्रुं(मलो)-
- हमसुधं (विचित्रचि)त्तेन
- निम्मर्पितन्न्रपे(ण) ब्रह्मो –
- श्वरविष्णुल(क्षि)तायनं
Translation:
- "The temple dedicated to Brahma, Siva and Vishnu was excavated by Vichitrachitta without using brick, timber, metal and mortar".
Gallery
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Floor plan of the Mandagapattu temple
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Sanskrit inscription
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Inscription, 2-D print
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The mukya and ardha mandapas
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One of three sanctums
References
Bibliography
- The CōĻas{{#if:K.A. Nilakanta Sastri|, K.A. Nilakanta Sastri}. University of Madras(2000)