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and none have the characteristic pillow-loft. Other caverns contain ten, six, eight, four and three berths respectively. The last cave chamber contains six berths, but they are badly damaged. The dimensions of the berths vary; the largest is 8 ft in length and 1.6 ft in width, and the smallest proportions are of 5.7 ft in length and 1.6 ft in width.
Another important archaeological feature situated near the complex is a rock with a bold relief sculpture of a seated Tirthankara. Its stylistic features belong to Ninth C.E., and the inscription incised below the image is assigned to the same period based on its paleography. It records that the revered monk Ajjanandi commissioned the image.
TIRUPPARANKUNRAM hill located just outside Madurai has a cave on its western slope and contains six chiseled rock-berths. Of these, four are small; parallel to each other and roughly equal in size. However, they are separated by a very thin band of stone. Above their pillow-loft area, four Bramhi inscriptions are found. The other two berths are slightly larger and lie along an east-west axis. Their pillow-lofts are severely damaged. The remaining portion of the cave is a spacious vault measuring 56 ft along the north-south axis, 20 ft in depth and 5.10 ft in height. There are two cell-like holes in the overhanging rock, and may have been designed to prevent exposure to wind. A few inches higher on the border of the sheltering rock and across its full breadth, a narrow drain is chiseled out of the rock to carry water along the roof, away from the interior walls. Similarly, a groove is cut into the floor of the broad entrance, draining water from the slope on the south side of the
cave.
Other features include footholds leading to the cavern. Round and square holes cut deep into the rock by the side of these footholds suggest that there might have been a wooden hand-rail system at one time. On the northern side of the cavern are crude steps leading to a perennial water-spring and two berths with smoothly dressed pillowlofts. A peculiar feature of this part of the cavern complex is the presence of two low benches - one measuring 5 ft by 1.95 ft, and the other, 6.3 ft by 1.92 ft. On the northern side of the hill is a smaller cave with two beds, but without inscriptions.
Of the four Brämhi inscriptions located within the complex, three are badly damaged, and only the personal name, Antuvan can be
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