30th
September 2018.
The
Sittannavasal, is a corrupted name of Sitrannavayil, a small place in
Pudukottai. The remains of prehistoric megalithic period monuments like Cairn
circles with cist, Dolmens, natural shelters with rock arts are scattered
around this Sittannavasal Hill. The Rock
cut cave is excavated on the northwestern slope facing west.
The
Rock cut cave has a sanctum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A lotus medallion
is on the sanctum ceiling. On the east
wall facing west, two Tirthankaras with mukkudai and a Jain monk with one kudai
is carved. The artha mandapam is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. On
the south side is 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanath under 5 headed snake
hood, in meditating posture. On the north side is a Jain monk with one kudai in
meditating posture. Under this monk’s sculpture it is inscribed as “Thiruvaasiriyan”.
The Ardha mandapa ceiling and the pillars are plastered with lime mortar and
paintings are drawn. The details will be posted separately.
The
King responsible for the excavation of this cave is not known and as per the available
inscription, the front mandapa was
extended during 9th Century. The inscription is in the form of a
song, one Ilangouthaman, a Jain monk / teacher belongs to Madurai, had done the
thirupani on behalf of Pandya King Avanibasekaran Sri Vallaban. A land was donated in lieu of thirupani,
which includes constructing of a Jain temple at Tharambai Moothur, offering of 'neivedhyam', burning of lamp. And
in continuation of the thirupani of constructing mandapam for a Jain Jinalaya
at Annal Vayil.
An echo or the resonance of vibration can be felt in the Sanctum, due to the pressure of the hill.
As per ASI the cave was excavated in the early Pandya Period ( 7th Century ), facing west with square sanctum and rectangle ardha mandapa. An inscription on a rock records that a renovation work was carried out to the sanctum and addition of the muka / front mandapa during the time of early Pandya King Sri Vallabha ( 815 – 862 CE) by one Ilangautaman alias Madurai Asiriyar.
An echo or the resonance of vibration can be felt in the Sanctum, due to the pressure of the hill.
As per ASI the cave was excavated in the early Pandya Period ( 7th Century ), facing west with square sanctum and rectangle ardha mandapa. An inscription on a rock records that a renovation work was carried out to the sanctum and addition of the muka / front mandapa during the time of early Pandya King Sri Vallabha ( 815 – 862 CE) by one Ilangautaman alias Madurai Asiriyar.
Two Tirthankaras with an Acharya
Sri Parshvanath
Achariyar with single kudai-Thiruvaasiriyan
JAIN BEDS WITH TAMIZHI / BRAHMI
INSCRIPTIONS AT EZHADIPATTAM.
There
are 17 beds for the Jain monks carved in the natural shelter on the top of the
same hill. On the side of the beds the 6th Century inscriptions read
as, “Thozhukkunraththu kadavulan thiruneelan”, “Thittai Sanan”, “Thiruchaththan”,
“SripoornaChandran”, “Niyathakaran Pattakkazhi”. In addition to this there is a
3rd Century inscription read as..
எருமிநாடு
குமுழ்ஊர் பிறந்த காவுடீஈ
தென்குசிறுபோசில்
இளையர் செய்த அதிட்அனம்.
As per this 3rd Century inscription, a bed was carved for Eruminattu kumuzhur
born Kaavithi, a government servant, by a Soldier or a merchant group of South
Siruposil Village. The Posil is the ancient name of Vayil and Siruposil was
turned to Sirtrannavayil, which are mentioned in Pandya period inscriptions.
LOCATION:CLICK HERE
The 3rd Century inscription around the bed
a lone Dolman on the Hill
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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