English: Kanthan Cave temple called Ladan koil-Madurai

The cave is under the control of Tamilnadu Archaeology ,nearer to Narasingaperumal cave temple-Narasingam, a small town which lies 10 Kms from Madurai district.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES:

  Basic architect feature of the cave has front part, back wall, stairs with steps and stair rails. Other architectural features such as Ubanam(உபானம்), Jagathi(ஜகதி), rounded Kumudhan(உருள் குமுதம்),kambu(கம்பு) and subsequent floor,two brahmakantha pilasters(நாண்முக அரைத்தூண்), uthiram(உத்திரம்). 

Upper part has vajanam(வாஜனம்),roof(கூரை) with kabotham(கபோதம்) (Sunshade like apperance). Lower part of the cave has unfinished padabantha class(பாதபந்த அதிஷ்டானம்) ,pattigai(பட்டிகை),kandam(கண்டம்),gandapatham(கண்டபாதம்) in between pattigai, unfinished kumudam (குமுதம்)and jagathi(ஜகதி). Inner part of the cave has front (முகப்பு-Mugappu), Stage floor ( Mandabam-மண்டபம்) and Main shrine (கருவறை-karuvarai -Garbagriha).

SCULPTURES INSIDE THE CAVE :

There are two saint sculptures (அடியவர்கள்-adiyavargal) placed at the north and south side entrance of the Garbhagriha.

There is small saint sculpture seated in Garudasana posture at the south rear floor of the garbhagriha. Devil demon (பூதகணங்கள் - Bhutaganas ) seated at the top of the pilasters in Lalithasana posture. The posture style of all saint sculptures,bhutaganas are all having the features of showing signs of way to the main deity. Main deity are called as god couple (இறை இணை) named Murugan (kanthan) and his consort Devi seated in Sugasana Posture.

INSCRIPTIONS: Inscriptions has dated around 9th century Vattezhuthu (வட்டெழுத்து).Inscription study claim that the renovation are done to this cave. The complete study on workmanship of this cave shows it may dated to 8th century and the inscription study claiming the strong evidence.

DESCRIPTION SOURCE:

மதுரை மாவட்டக் குடைவரைகள் - மு.நளினி இரா.கலைக்கோவன்