Time freezes in and around the cluster of rocks in Kaviyur near Thiruvalla, where the eight-century-old Thrikkakkudy rock-cut temple remains as a marker of a culturally rich ancient era. The Archaeology Department has declared the temple a protected monument, and now it is a centre of attraction of researchers.. This south-facing cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has got a unique construction and structural beauty.
P. Unnikrishnan Nair, historian and archaeologist who had done research on this protected monument, said the rock-cut temple was as old as the cave temples of Kallil, Madavoorpara, Irunilamkode, and Vizhinjom.
Now, the temple is attached to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The TDB has renovated the rock-cut structure and started daily morning rituals from May 31, 2013, following repeated requests from devotees.
The two-and-a-half-feet tall Shivalinga in granite has been installed on a raised platform inside the 10-feet-high and seven-feet square sanctum sanctorum. The walls are plain and polished with a six-feet-high door. Structures of two ‘Dwarapalakars’ stand on either side of its entrance. There is a broad verandah in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
The images of Lord Vinayaka and a sage in granite are carved on the wall of the verandah. A deep, narrow, perennial natural pond between two rocks is another attraction here.
Historians see a Buddhist influence in the structure. Unnikrishnan Nair said this might have been a Buddhist Pagoda centuries ago. Buddhism and Jainism flourished in Kerala and monks preferred to lead a secluded life in such rock-cut caves prior to 10th century AD.
