Sittanavasal

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Sittanavasal (सितन्नवासल) is a small hamlet in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for the Sittanavasal Cave, a 2nd-century Jain cave complex. From the 7th to the 9th century A.D., the village flourished as a Jain centre.

Location

The Sittanavasal village is about 20 km to the north of Pudukottai, just before Annavasal village and about 58 km from Trichy.

Variants

• Sitannavasala सितन्नवासल, मद्रास, (AS, p.965)
• Siddhanavasa (सिद्धणवास) (AS, p.965)
• Siddhon Ka Dera (सिद्धों का डेरा) (AS, p.965)

History

Megalithic sites of the 1st century BC have been excavated near the village, on the road to the monuments. It was a flourishing village during the Jaina period from the 7th to 9th century AD. Before entering the Sittanavasal and on the road to the monuments, remains of prehistoric burial sites are seen. The Jain natural caverns, called Ezhadippattam are approached from the foothills. On the western slope of the central part of the hill is the cave temple which is approached by climbing a few 100 steps.

Jainism flourished here from 1st century BC to 10th century AD. The Arivarkovil or the Temple cave is initially dated to Pallava King Mahendravarman I (580-630AD) prior to his conversion from Jainism to Hinduism. The village later fell under the reign of the Pandyans in Tamil Nadu, and an inscription attributes renovation of the cave to a Pandyan king, probably Maran Sendan (654- 670AD) or Arikesari Maravarman (670-700AD).

सितन्नवासल (मद्रास)

सितन्नवासल, मद्रास, (p.965): मूल नाम संभवत:सिद्धणवास अर्थात सिद्धों का डेरा है. यह स्थान पड्डुक्कोटा से 9 मील दूर है. यहां पथरीली पहाड़ियों में शैलकृत जैन गुहा मंदिर स्थित हैं. तीसरी सदी ईसा पूर्व का एक ब्राह्मी अभिलेख भी यहां उपलब्ध हुआ है. इसमें इन गुफाओं का जैन मुनियों के निवास के लिए निर्मित किया जाना उल्लिखित है. गुफाओं में अजंता की शैली के पल्लव कालीन (सातवीं सदी ई.) भित्तिचित्र भी प्राप्त हुए हैं.