The Trimurti Cave Temple is a Pallava rock-cut monument of the 7th century, hewn from a single boulder on the Mamallapuram hill as three side-by-side shrine cells dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Unusually, it has no separate pillared front hall (mandapa), so the three cells open more or less directly onto the rock face.
The Trimurti Cave Temple is a Pallava rock-cut monument of the 7th century, hewn from a single boulder on the Mamallapuram hill as three side-by-side shrine cells dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Unusually, it has no separate pillared front hall (mandapa), so the three cells open more or less directly onto the rock face.
The central cell, dedicated to Shiva, is treated as the most important and is slightly larger, flanked by the shrines to Brahma and Vishnu. Carved guardian figures stand at the cell entrances, and a fine relief of the goddess Durga is cut into the rock beside the shrines.
Entry: Generally open-access with no ticket, as with most of Mamallapuram's rock-cut cave-temples, unlike the ticketed Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas (indicative)
Getting there: Mamallapuram is roughly 55-60 km south of Chennai on the East Coast Road (ECR), about 1.5-2 hours by taxi, app cab, or bus; the cave stands on the northern part of the hill within easy walking distance of the other mandapas (indicative)
It sits close to the Varaha and Mahishasuramardini caves, so string all three together on a single walk across the hill.
Road km to Chengalpattu; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
The cooler, drier months of November to February, with morning light falling on the shrine facade.
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The cooler, drier months of November to February, with morning light falling on the shrine facade.
Entry: Generally open-access with no ticket, as with most of Mamallapuram's rock-cut cave-temples, unlike the ticketed Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas (indicative). Timings: Open daily from around sunrise to sunset (indicative). Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
Find the cave on the northern stretch of the Mamallapuram hill, an easy walk from the town and the neighbouring mandapas Read the three cells left to right and note how the central Shiva shrine is emphasised, then look for the Durga panel on the outer wall Pair it with the nearby Varaha and Mahishasuramardini caves to see the range of Pallava rock-cut work in one loop
About 15 to 20 minutes to walk the facade and study the three cells and the Durga relief.
Nearby you can pair Krishna's Butterball (80 m), Ganesha Ratha (160 m), Varaha Cave Temple (200 m), Rayar Gopuram (210 m).
The surrounding ground is rocky and uneven, so wear sturdy footwear
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