ALATHUR HILL (Cave on)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A modified natural sacred cave or rock shelter (temple cave) is situated on Alathur Hill or Velumalai, a hill above the town of Alathur (note 1), which lies at a distance of 21 km or 24 km (note 2) along the road south-west of Palakkad / Palghat (note 3). ETYMOLOGY: Alathur (alam + oor), meaning the city of the alam trees, Dalbergia used to make mortar … (LOGAN 1887 - 1891 edited 2000, 2: cccxcvi) SITUATION 1891: In Kattusseri amsam about 13 miles from Palghat on the road from there to the Cochin [Kozhikode district] border via Vadakkancheri [note 4] (LOGAN 1887-1891, 2: cccxcvii) and thus in the area of the Palghat Gap (note 5). SITUATION 2004: The Alathur or Velimala Hill [lies] near the town … (ffkerala.net/palakkaddist/palakkad100_places2.htm accessed 2004.11.01) CAVE DESCRIPTION 1891: A somewhat large cave and a natural spring higher up, which is never dry … [and] portions of walls dividing the cave into compartments of hearths and a small mill … (LOGAN 1887-1891, 2: cccxcvii) CAE DESCRIPTION 2003: Item number 83: a) Name of Monument: Rock cave; b) Features: Natural Granite Cave; c) Name of Village: Kuthannoor; d) Name of Taluk: Alathur; e) Total Area of Monument: 70 cent (28.33 areas); f) Owner: Department of Archaeology; g) Notification No. GO(P)NO.13/03/CAD Dt 26/04/2003 (kerala.gov.in/dept_archaeology/monuments.htm accessed 2005.12.21) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2004: … has ruins of an ancient temple atop the hill and a perennial natural spring. The hill also has a cave in the middle with mud partitions (ffkerala.net/palakkaddist/palakkad100_places2.htm accessed 2004.11.01)CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: There is also a ruined Hindu temple here. It is popularly believed that the cave was formerly inhabited. The existence of portions of walls dividing the cave into compartments of hearths and a small mill, all seem to support this tradition. There is a mosque and a Roman Catholic Church here (LOGAN 1887-1891, 2: cccxcvii).E DESCRIPTION 2003: Item number 83: a) Name of Monument: Rock cave; b) Features: Natural Granite Cave; c) Name of Village: Kuthannoor; d) Name of Taluk: Alathur; e) Total Area of Monument: 70 cent (28.33 areas); f) Owner: Department of Archaeology; g) Notification No. GO(P)NO.13/03/CAD Dt 26/04/2003 (kerala.gov.in/dept_archaeology/monuments.htm accessed 2005.12.21) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2004: … has ruins of an ancient temple atop the hill and a perennial natural spring. The hill also has a cave in the middle with mud partitions (ffkerala.net/palakkaddist/palakkad100_places2.htm accessed 2004.11.01)CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: There is also a ruined Hindu temple here. It is popularly believed that the cave was formerly inhabited. The existence of portions of walls dividing the cave into compartments of hearths and a small mill, all seem to support this tradition. There is a mosque and a Roman Catholic Church here (LOGAN 1887-1891, 2: cccxcvii).