![]() In Sittannavasal, there are several megalithic monuments of prehistoric periods can be found. These include the burial vases, stone circles, cairns, tombs and cists. The stone beds found there were inhabited by the Jain ascetics. The inscriptions are written in Tamil, which had their origin around the 3rd century BC. The Tamil Brahmi script can be found at Vattezhuttu and the Tamil scripts up to the 10th century AD are found in the hilltop named Eladipattam. A pre 9th century Jain rock cut temple with its world famous mural paintings can be also found in the Sittannavasal. The Jain temple here represents the typical architecture of that period. There is a small 'garbha griham' (sanctum) and an ardhamandapam (portico) in the temple. The mukhamandapam, which was added in later period, had collapsed. A verandah was also added in the 20th century by the Tondaiman rulers. ![]() The two layers of paintings, an earlier Pallava and a later Pandya were recently found in the Sittannavasal cave. Apart from the lotus pond, there are also paintings of a prince and a princess with a monk and the other is of two marvellous dancers. These represent the elegant revealing the craftsmanship of the painter of that time. Along the southern end of the front wall, there is a Tamil inscription, which mentions a Jaina acharya called Han Gautaman. He is said to have hailed from Madurai and had renovated and adorned the front terraces of the Sittannavasal cave. The fairy display of the figures of dancers with flowers and pearls show the elaborate brushing. Another painting depicts the crown of the prince accompanying the princess. These are simple but powerful and reveal the skill of the painter. |