Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
ROCK CUT TEMPLE
Sittanavasal:
It is the most celebrated Jaina center in Pudukottai District and is situated about 15 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 later inscriptions. The stone bed with brahmi 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 ascetic Kavuti who was born in Kumulur in Eruminatu (Mysore region) and the inscription is the earliest epigraphic evidence for contacts between Jaina communities in Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
Sittanavasal continued to flourish as a stronghold of Jaina sect from the 7th to the 9th century AD. A rock cut temple dedicated to three Thirthankaras had been hewn out in the northern periphery of the same hillock. This rock cut temple on plan comprises of an inner shrine 3.94 sq. mts and ardhamandapa infront measuring 6.8x2.27x2.58 mtrs. A doorway measuring 1.67 x .0.75 mtr approached by surul yali flanked steps
leads into the inner shrine. In the façade are two Jain Ed massive tisauare pillars and end pilasters. Beams are yo