Mandagapattu Temple

Hewn from rock by the Pallava ruler Mahendravarman I in honour of the trinity Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu, the rock-cut cave temple is the oldest stone shrine discovered and dated in Tamil Nadu.

[1][2] The temple is notable for the earliest known rock-cut Sanskrit inscription written in Grantha script.

[3] The inscription reads: Transliteration into Devanagari: Translation: First of its series of caves excavated during the Mahendravarman I.

The temple is also called ayatana and it is truly made out of rock cut without using Bricks, Wood, Metal or Mortar of any kind.

The cave was carved on the northern face of the large rock overlooking the irrigation tank to the west of the Mandagapattu village.