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3. SEKKANTI'S ABODE AT NEGANURPATTI
Neganūrpaṭṭi is a hamlet of Perumpuhai near Gingee town. The low hillock adjacent to the hamlet contains a natural cavern, which was modified into an ascetic-abode by providing stone beds on its floor. The overhanging boulder has a brahmi inscription in characters of the 3rd century A.D. It records that this monastery (nunnery) was caused to be made by Sekkanti Anni-Tāyāru, the mother of sekkanti of the village Perumpuhal.8
It is evident from the above lithic record that the natural cavern was converted into an abode by the nun Sekkanti Anni-Tāyāru whose daughter Sekkanthi was also a nun. The term 'Kanti'in Tamil stands for a nun and 'Täyāru' refers to mother.
दर्शन दिग्दर्शन
Apparently, the mother and daughter got initiated into ascetic order and thereafter made the cavern as their abode. Perhaps it was the earliest nunnery in Tamilnadu, where from these nuns spread the gospel of the Jina to laity. Similar nunneries belonging to medieval times were found in places like Vidal in North Arcot district and Kurandi in Kamarajar district. The native place Perumpuhal (a place of great fame) of the two nuns is known as Perumpuhaj (a place of heavy smoke).
4. THE PARAIYANPATTU SIDIKA
About 32 kms. north of Gingee lies the village Paraiyanpattu. A hillock adjacent to the village has a natural cavern with a single stone bed cut on the rear end.
8. K. Rajavelu, "Newganurpatti Tamil-Brahmi inscription", Avanam (Tanjore), No.6, PP 1-2, 1995.
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