Madavoorpara Rock-cut Cave Temple & Eco Park

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Madavoorpara, the huge rocky hill near Thiruvananthapuram, offers the traveller twin attractions -- the spiritual and the physical. The rocky monolith has two faces, an ancient and a modern, that are sure to captivate the itinerant. For the devotee, the adventure park is a totally unexpected bonus, while for the thrill seeker, the spiritual part offers an opportunity to calm the mind and connect with our storied past.

The south-west face of the rocky hillock has the famous rock-cut shrine, while the north-east face is marked by a unique tourist attraction. The icing on the cake for the physically able thrill seeker is the opportunity to visit the temple and then scale the rock to reach the adventure park on the opposite side of the hillock.

Ancient epigraphs indicate that Buddhism and Jainism had deep roots by the 3rd C . in Kerala, and was patronized by the local rulers. Jainism continued  to be popular till the 10th C. However, Hindu Revivalism of the the early 9th C. and later succeeded in displacing these faiths, in the process converting most of the ancient Buddhist/Jainist shrines into Hindu places of worship. Evidence suggests that the case was no different in the case of the Madavoorpara rock-cut cave temple as it bears a close resemblance to other Jain shrines in its architectural style and implementation.. Today the rock-cut cave is a Siva temple.

The temple is hardly 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, located between Pothencode and Chempazhanthy. Today some 200 plus steps lead to the top, with the last 33 being those originally sculpted into the steep rockface.  There is a narrow ledge before the pillared, rectangular shrine hewn into the rock. There are inscriptions in Vattezhuthu, the ancient Malayalam script, on a pillar. Carvings of Lord Siva and Ganapathy adorn the right wall, while that of probably a local ruler or chieftain appear on the left. The temple, previously owned by the Chenkottukonam Ashram, was taken over by the State Archaeology Department in 1960 as a protected historical monument, and as such attracts researchers and archaeologists.

A glance at the Google site map will give you a clearer picture of the locale. Nearby on the rock is a holy pond called Gangatheertham fed by a perennial spring originating from within the rocky hill. (From there a steep climb will take you to the opposite face of the rock and the adventure eco-park. This is not something advised for the less able; better for them to take to the road to reach the adventure park.) 

Surely Madavoorpara is a gem among the many historical places that dot Thiruvananthapuram, a city with a hoary and storied past. For the traveller there cannot be another spot like this that offers a blend of diverse attractions, and its nearness to the city ought to make it popular among the pilgrim as well as the holidaymaker. Trudging up the steep steps on the wooded hillside and standing before the ancient shrine is surely an experience to be cherished. 

The temple timings are from 6.30 to 10 am and 5.30 to 7 pm when poojas are held. As is the practice with Siva temples, here too Siva Rathri is celebrated with pomp and attracts crowds from far and wide.

Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/YMBrjYUQEt3a7Mgx8

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The Madavoorpara Adventure Eco Park on the opposite side of the rocky hill is a popular holiday spot, particularly with weekend holiday makers. There is a small children's playground and some huts nearby. But the main attraction is the 100 Metre long bamboo walkway that leads to the top of the hillock. A slow climb up the bamboo ramp can offer you some thrilling views. At the top there is a bamboo cottage that lets you catch your breath and take in the views and the fresh breeze before starting back. The bamboo bridge was built by Uravu, the tribal co-operative from Wayanad, who are rightly famous as "bamboo specialists".

Practically the entire Madavoorpara area comes under the notification of the Department of Archaeology and visitors must keep that in mind as acts like littering etc and boisterous behaviour are likely to attract fines. Another tip for the traveller is to avoid visiting the place around noon, as the heat will be unbearable.

Places like Madavoorpara with its "twin faces" are a rarity indeed, and so must necessarily find a place in the itinerary of the traveller and the pilgrim.

Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/yxQ5dKhsY6Kq3fiJ6

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Explore more at: 

http://know-your-heritage.blogspot.com/2016/09/madavoorpara-cave-hindu-rock-cut-temple.html

http://www.keralaculture.org/madavoopara/300























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