The Tiger Cave is a rock-cut Hindu temple complex located in the hamlet of Saluvankuppam near Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. It gets its name from the carvings of tiger heads on the mouth of a cave which forms a part of the complex. The Tiger Cave is considered to be one of the Mahabalipuram rock-cut temples constructed by the Pallavas in the 8th century AD. The site is located on the Bay of Bengal coast and is a popular picnic spot and tourist destination. The temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The rock-cut cave carved with mythological creature called Yali. It is as if the whole cave was showcasing the different profiles of the tiger – right to left to front of his face. Each detail of these tigers is just stunning – the eyes, the canines that jut out, the ferocious look.
According to local guides, the central chamber was where the kings might have sat while the rest of the courtiers and audience surrounded the place.
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