Mamallapuram is full of monuments. And, the monuments are full of mysteries. Yali Mandapa, which is called Tiger's Cave nowadays, is one such unsolved puzzle of the Pallava creators. Located in Saluvankuppam village at a distance of 5 km north of Mamallapuram, this monument has no parallel. The style is entirely different from all other cave shrines of Mallai.
Yali Mandapa is a rock-cut shrine. In fact, it is more a mandapa (pavilion) than a temple. The front face of the boulder has been cut out to form an oblong-shaped east-facing mandapa. It approximately measures 6 feet by 4 feet, with a height of about 6 feet above the ground. Supported by two massive pillars, the mandapa is projected forward. The pillars have rampant lions with riders. On either side, there are two niches without any images are found.
A flight of four rock-cut steps connects the ground with the mandapa. On either side of the parapets, two roughly cut ramping lions are found.
Around the mandapa and two niches, a total of eleven large Vyala heads are carved out to form a Torana (ornamental arch). Vyala, called Yali in Tamil, is a mythical composite animal. There are 16 types of Vyalas. Vyalas in this mandapa are Simha Vyalas. They are neither lions nor tigers. Hence, Yali Mandapa is the appropriate name for this mandapa. Tiger Caves is a misnomer.
Some scholars believe that this mandapa is a shrine of Durga, as it has rampant lions on the pillars. (Lion is the mount of Durga).
In the southern extension of the boulder, the sculptures of a horse, two Elephants, and a flagstaff are found. The frontal of two large elephants with huge tusks, coiled trunks, and fanning ears are cut out. On elephant backs, the howdahs carrying two male deities are found. As the images have four arms, we can assume that they are celestials and not Kings.
Between both the elephants, there is a large and thick pillar or flagstaff is found. On the southmost edge, there is a horse sculpted.
On the north side of the boulder, a roughly cut seated lion with a niche in its torso is found. Although it is an empty niche, based on a similar sculpture in the shore temple, we can assume that it was planned to carve the icon of Mahisasuramardini inside the cavity.
Now, let me share my opinion on these sculptures.
What is the purpose of this mandapa? Is it a shrine/temple? I could not agree with a few scholars who state that it must be a Durga temple. The rampant lions on the pillars and the parapets of the steps are not enough for us to determine so. All other cave shrines in Mamallapuram have Dwarapalas (door guardians). Based on their sex or style, we could assume the principal deity. In this mandapa, there are no Dwarapalas.
It is an oblong-shaped mandapa with a depth of about 4 feet. If it is meant for a shrine, there is no need to have such a large structure.
As Shri K.R. Srinivasan believed, it must be a place to celebrate Indra Vizha, a festival that was celebrated in ancient Tamil Nadu.
Who are the deities seated on the elephants? As the images of Gods riding the elephants are eroded, it is not easy to identify them. However, based on vaahana (mount), many scholars associate these images with Skanda and Indra. I have a difference of opinion. I believe the elephants carry Indra and his Guru Brahaspati. Not only Indra and Skanda, but even Brahaspati has an elephant as his mount.
To my knowledge, no one seems to have talked about the horse. I think the horse represents Uchchaihshravas, the horse of Indra.
The pillar-like structure found between the two elephants must be Indra Dhwaja, the flagstaff of Indra. As per the references in Mahabharata, the festival of Indra was celebrated with Indra Dhwaja.
Overall, I relate all the sculptures to Indra. The mandapa is the site for celebration or keeping the processional icon of Indra. One elephant carries Indra, and another elephant has his Guru, Brahaspati. The flagstaff of Indra and the horse of Indra are also depicted. Also, the site is located right in front of the ocean, which matches the description in the ancient texts. The only exception is the unfinished lion with a niche in its torso.
At last....who built this monument? There is no inscriptional evidence. However, it is safe to assume that Rajasimha Pallava might have done this in the 8th century CE.
Happy travelling.
