Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

Page 93

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
The monuments in Tamilnadu can be categorized into three types, ie., Early Natural Caverns, Rock cut cave temples and structural temples.
Early Natural caverns:
The salient features of these natural rock shelters are such that they are mostly shallow and are formed under one or more massive overhanging boulders that dot the hilly areas. A drip ledge is cut into the brow of the overhanging boulder for the entire length of the opening of the cave below to prevent rainwater from flowing inside. On the rocky floor of the cave a number of stone beds have been cut and chiseled smooth with one side raised a little to serve as pillows. A number of holes have also been cut into the open rock in front of the caves probably for providing temporary roof. These holy residences were mostly located near spring of water, which catered to the basic needs of the ascetics.
Such type of natural caverns protected by ASI include those at Kilavalavu, Kilakuyilkudi, Mettupatti, Alagarmalai, Thiruparankunram, all in the district of Madurai; Sittannavasal, Ammachatiram, Kulathur, Kudimiyanmalai all in the district of Pudukottai and Uttamapalayam in the district of Theni.
Kilavalavu is situated at a distance of 10 kms from Melur. About 1.6 kms southwest of the Kilavalavu village is a hill with huge boulders with narrow bases gradually spreading as they rise into spacious tops. The boulders all round is chiseled wherever the slopes run into the concave portions of the rock and shelters below it a number of beds, the pillow lofts of which converge to the base of the boulder and thereby give to the latter the appearance of petals spreading evenly from
the stem of a lotus flower. A Brahmi inscription of 2nd