KOTTUKKAL CAVE TEMPLE

It is an existing example of rock cut architecture built between the 6th and 8th centuries of the current era. It is in a village called Kottukkal near Anchal in Kollam district. In Malayalam it is known as ‘kottiya kallu’ or carved rock. It consists of two unequal caves facing the east with the the main deity of Ganapathy in between. The smaller cave has the idol of Hanuman and the larger one has a Nandi (bull) in them. Lord Shiva is also a deity in the form of a Shiv Linga (Phallus). The rock is now situated in the midst of a large paddy field and daily rituals are performed in the temple under the auspices of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Situated 45 kms away from Kollam, the cave with the shrine is frequented by travellers for its calmness and tranquility.

KOTTUKKAL CAVE TEMPLE - Places to Visit in Kerala