Tamil Nadu   

Rock-cut beds discovered at village in Tiruvannamalai

DISCOVERY: The 10th century rock-cut beds, used by Jain saints, discovered recently in Puduppalayam in Polur taluk in Tiruvannamalai district.

TIRUVANNAMALAI: Several rock-cut beds, dating back to the 10th century A.D., and used by Jain saints, were discovered in the hills near Puduppalayam in Polur taluk in the district by R. Vijayan, a post-graduate history teacher of the Government Higher Secondary School in Arni.

According to Mr. Vijayan, the rulers of those days, affluent persons and those having religious involvement provided such beds for the benefit of Jain saints. The saints lived in the hills, having renounced all worldly attachments. While such rock-cut beds were found already in Vazhuthalangunam, Sedharambattu and Gengampoondi in the district, it is for the first time they were discovered in Puduppalayam in one of the two caves on the eastern side of the hills facing the elementary school.

They were found placed in the north-south direction. Five rock-cut beds were found in a west-facing position in the other cave. There were two more beds to the east of them, and another separate bed.

A canal was sculpted close to the beds for the flow of rainwater.

Mr. Vijayan said that there was evidence to corroborate the belief that Jain saints used the shade between the two rocks found on top of a hillock opposite to the hills. In the vicinity of these rocks is found a unique 12-feet-wide artificial tank used by the saints.

The Kanga kings, who ruled the region from Karanataka to north Tamil Nadu, helped for the spread of Jainism. Rajamallan-I and Rajamallan-II constructed caves for the Jain saints in Vallimalai and Seeyamangalam respectively. Gannaradeva Prithivirajan, alias Asthimallan, a 10th century Kanga king, constructed a Jain temple in Padiyambattu near Puduppalayam.

The rock-cut beds in Puduppalayam could have been formed during the reign of this king, according to the history teacher.

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