Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

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EARLY JAINA CAVES 15
Marukaltalai
Situated about 15 kms. from Palayamkottai, Marukaltalai possesses a natural cavern on a low hill, locally referred to as Puviludaiyarmalai. This small cavern is formed by two huge boulders one overhanging the other and about 4' or 5' below the top. The lower boulder contains seven beds at convenient places. At the right side of these is a Brahmi inscription. The cavern is 52' in length north to south and 8' deep. A drip ledge is cut on the overhanging rock so as to drain off rain water. The rock cut beds here were caused to be cut by Kasipan, a member of the Velir clan. These beds, being rock-cut, are referred to as Kalkanchanam in the inscription.
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Sittanavasal:
It is the most celebrated Jaina center in Pudukottai District and is situated about 16 kms. from Pudukottai. On the hill near the village at an inaccessible height is a large natural cavern formed of a cleft which divides the over hanging top portion from the rocky floor below. This natural cavern situated on the eastern face of the hill is locally known as Eladipattam. Inside the cave are 17 beds some of which are damaged and all with pillow lofts. Round the top and left side of the largest bed is a deeply engraved Tamil Brahmi inscription. Some of the other beds bear late inscription in the Tamil characters of circa 8th century A.D. A study in situ has shown that the centrally located and exceptionally well made Tamil inscription was fashioned much earlier and remained the only one in the cave for centuries until the latter ones were added in the early medieval period. According to the earliest inscription, the stone bed was specially made and gifted to a Jaina Kavuti who was www.jainelibrary.org