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EARLY JAINA CAVES
Sathyabhama Badhreenath Superintending Archaeologist
ASI, New Delhi - 110 011.
The earliest architectural activities in Tamilnadu commences with the Jaina natural caverns that have been discovered in many parts of Tamilnadu. These natural caverns served as abodes of the Jaina monks. More than one hundred caverns have been brought to light so far. Situated at inaccessible heights, these caverns are found in the hill ranges that dot the districts of Madurai, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Vellore and Villupuram. These caverns are characterized by the presence of polished stone beds and a drip ledge cut into the boulder at the top to prevent the entry of rain water. Their association with Jaina ascetics is ascertained from the brahmi inscriptions found in these caverns. In the present study, only those caverns that have early Brahmi inscriptions are taken into consideration. This category is mainly confined to the hill ranges in and around Madurai, Pudukkottai and Tirunelveli. Some of the important amongst these are enumerated here. Arittapatti
Arittapatti is a village situated 8 kms. from Melur on the road to Alagarkoil from Madurai. About
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