KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE CAVE

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Altogether 18 caves of dubious nature, complete with eighteen sources of water or one spring with curative powers, are advertised on Internet websites as a sightseeing spot suiting both tourists and pilgrims. SITUATION: somewhere above the Suruli Falls (note 1) in Uthamapalayam Taluk, Theni (also: Teni) district (note 2), approximately south-west of Madurai and close to the Kerala border, some 15 or 20 km along the road south-southwest of Kambam (N09°44': E077°18') or about 10 km south of Gudalur (N09°41': E077°16': circa 460 m asl) on the road from Periyakulam (N10°07': E077°33') across the Western Ghats (circa 920 m at the villages of Kumili and Thekkadi) to Kottayam (N09°35': E076°31' in Kerala). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2005q: There are 18 caves in and around the Suruli falls. The Kailasanathar cave Temple is situated 800 metres [sic! probably for 800 feet = about 250 m] above the fall and has a spring, which possesses water of curative powers (tamilnadutourism.org/theni.hm accessed 14.01.2005). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2005b: As we are stalked by inquisitive monkeys which seem to be on a mission to find out whether we are carrying food, my friendly volunteer tells me about the Kailasanathar Temple cave, situated 800 metres [sic! more likely: 800 feet or 250 m or so] above the falls. There are 18 caves at those heights, each of them, the story goes, hiding water springs with curative powers. Near the main Kailasanathar Cave, there is also a dargah where the body of a Muslim mystic from the 17th Century, Abubacker Masthan, is interred (hindu.com/mp/2004/07/31/stories/2004073100160100.h… accessed 14.01.2005).m accessed 14.01.2005). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2005b: As we are stalked by inquisitive monkeys which seem to be on a mission to find out whether we are carrying food, my friendly volunteer tells me about the Kailasanathar Temple cave, situated 800 metres [sic! more likely: 800 feet or 250 m or so] above the falls. There are 18 caves at those heights, each of them, the story goes, hiding water springs with curative powers. Near the main Kailasanathar Cave, there is also a dargah where the body of a Muslim mystic from the 17th Century, Abubacker Masthan, is interred (hindu.com/mp/2004/07/31/stories/2004073100160100.h… accessed 14.01.2005).