Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple

Vizhinjam, located in Thiruvananthapuram district (formerly known as Trivandrum), was the former capital of the Ay dynasty who dominated South Travancore in the 8th century. Vizhinjam temple is one of the oldest rock-cut temples in Kerala, believed to have been constructed by the Ay rulers.




This granite temple is a small shrine, featuring a central cell with a sculpture of the seated Dakshinamurthi. On either side of the cell, there are unfinished sculptures of Lord Siva standing in majestic poses: Tripurantaka on the left brandishing a bow and arrow in two of his four hands, and Nataraja with his wife Parvati on the right. Tripurantaka's left foot rests on Apasmara.