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Jaina Monuments of Pudukkottai Region
A. Ekambaranathan
The Pudukkottai region occupies more or less than central part of Tamilnadu and it is bound by the districts of Trichy on the west, Tirthankara, Mosakkudi Ramanad on the south, Thanjavur on the north and north-east and partly by the Bay of Bengal on the east. In ancient times, it was ruled by the minor chieftains like the Muttaraiyars and Irukkuvels whose political fortune depended largely on their over-lords like the Pallavas, Pandyas and Colas. The region abounds in Jaina edifices of religious and aesthetic importance. Interesting series of natural caverns with stone beds inhabited by ascetics of the Jaina persuation, relief sculptures depicting the Tirthařkaras on the overhanging rock of the caverns or on the nearby boulders and structural temples are found in almost every part of the region under our purview. A systematic study of the monuments of the same area would throw a flood of light on the various aspects connected with the history of Jainism in this part of our land.
1.
Sittannayasal
Sittannavasal, about 16 kms. from Pudukkottai town, is the oldest and most famous Jaina centre in the Pudukkottai region. It possesses an early cave shelter of the Sramanas and a medieval rock-cut temple with excellent fresco paintings.
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