RANGANATHA, Gingee - Singavaram (Cave of)
12.250000,79.416700
Description
What appears to be a monolithic man-made rock chamber (Hindu cave temple), which has been excavated in the 7th century (Pallava period) from a single, isolated granite boulder, is not only sacred to Ranganatha (note 3), a reclining (recumbent) form of Lord Vishnu, and his consort Bhudevi, but also to Brahma. SITUATION: Somewhere in the village of Singavaram (note 1) in Gingee (note 2).CAVE DESCRIPTION: »Steps lead to a gateway that was built later, while the shrine is preceded by a hall. The colonnade around the hall has sculptures of guardian figures. The shrine entails a 5 m depiction of Ranganatha with a lotus stalk emanating from the Lord's navel; the lotus blossom thereon holds the seated figure of Lord Brahma. Bhudevi (consort of Lord Vishnu) is seated close by while Garuda (the Lord's mount) is at the side« (indiaheritage.com/travel/south/tamil.htm accessed 2004.10.31).
NOTE 1: »Singavaram« (indiaheritage.com accessed 2004.10.31) in Gingee (Senji) is not identified but there is a Singawaram at N17°47'50”: E078°53'20” (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) on AMS sheet NE44-09 Hyderabad (U502 series, 1963 edition) on the Golconda plateau near the border of the districts of Nalgonda and Warangal. NOTE 2: Gingee (also: Senji; pronounced shingee) is indicated near N12°15': E079°25' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) on AMS sheet ND44-14 Conjeeveram (1956 edition) and in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 113 F5) north-west of Pondicherry (N11°55'48”: E079°49'48”) and 37 km east of Tiruvannamalai (N12°13': E079°04'). NOTE 3: Ranganatha and Anantasayana are reclining (recumbent) forms of Lord Vishnu.
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24.6 | SIYAMANGALAM ROCK-CUT TEMPLE | ||
| 28.1 | MANDAGAPATTU (Cave at) | ||
| 29.2 | TALAGIRISHWARA KOIL, Panamalai (Cave at) | ||
| 37.0 | KILMAVILANGAI (Cave at) | ||
| 45.7 | DHALAVANUR (Cave at) | ||
| 61.9 | MAMANDUR (Caves at) | ||
| 61.9 | RUDRALISHVARA, Kanchipuram (Grotte de) | ||
| 63.5 | VELLAMALAI CAVE | ||
| 72.6 | TIGER CAVE, Salvankuppam |