Kaviyoor, Pathanamthitta

Location : About 5 km east of Thiruvalla,
Pathanamthitta district, south Kerala.
Attractions : Rock Cut Cave Temple

Located on the banks of the river Manimala, Kaviyoor is famous for its temples. The Kaviyoor Trikkukkudi Cave Temple, also known as the Rock Cut Cave Temple, is of historical importance and is preserved as a monument by the Archaeological Department. It bears close resemblance to the Pallava style of architecture and has prompted historians to date it to a period as early as the eighth century AD.

The engravings here are among the earliest specimens of stone sculptures in Kerala. Enshrined in a square cave is the main deity of the shrine Lord Siva represented in the ' Sivalinga' which is about three feet high and carved out of rock. The shrine also has idols of Ganapathy, Maharshi and Dwarapalakas.

Another noted shrine in Kaviyoor is the Hanuman Temple which stands on a small hillock and is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla, about 5 km from Kaviyoor.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 119 km from Pathanamthitta