Sittannavasal (சித்தன்னவாசல்)
Sittannavasal ('sith-than-na-vaa-sal') is the best-known archaeological site in
Pudukkottai. It is famous for its cave paintings, which are second only in
importance after Ajanta paintings in the art history of India. It is perhaps
the only place where you can find inscriptions in Tamil from the 3rd century
BC to the 13th century AD. Also there are megalithic monuments such as
stone-circles, urn and cists burials spread in the plains around the hill
Sittannavasal is a corruption of Sit-tan-na-va-yil (சித்தன்னல்வாயில்),
which means ‘the abode of great saints’.
Sittannavasal is located on Pudukkottai-Annavasal-Viralimalai (புதுக்கோட்டை-அன்னவாசல்-விராலிமலை)
main road about 16 Kilometers from Pudukkottai.
The village lies to the right
of the road from Pudukkottai to Annavasal (அன்னவாசல்). An arch put up by the
Government welcomes the visitors.
On the main road before one takes a turn to enter Sittannavasal and on the
roads leading to the monuments, there are remains of
prehistoric burial sites.
Most of the monuments of this place are in and around a hill, which runs
along the north-south direction. The hill itself is not very tall, reaching
to about 70 meters.
Following this road off main road one reaches the foothills of the hillock
at which the road takes a left turn. It is from here one starts the climb to
the Jain caverns, called Ezhadippattam (ஏழடிப்பட்டம்). The cavern contains a
number of stone beds and inscriptions.
Further traveling on the road would take you to the western slope of the
central hillock. From here one makes a short climb of some steps to reach the
Jain cave temple, and its world famous
mural paintings.
Town Bus and taxi services are available from Pudukkottai.
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