View source for Sittanavasal Cave

{{EngvarB|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox Historic Site
| name = Sittanavasal Cave
| native_language = Tamil
| image =சித்தன்னவாசல்.jpg
| image_size = 275px
| caption = Sittanavasal Cave
| designation1 = 
| designation1_date = 
| designation1_number = 
| designation1_criteria = 
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_free1name = State Party
| designation1_free1value = {{IND}}
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2value = 
| location = [[Pudukottai]], India
| elevation = 
| built = [[Śramaṇa]] Period (Second century BC to 900 AD)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/sittannavasal-relics-from-the-2nd-century-bc/article29509900.ece/photo/1/|title=Sittannavasal: relics from the 2nd century B.C.|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
| architect = 
| architecture = [[Pandya]]n
| coordinates = {{coord|10.4544|78.7247|display=inline}}
| locmapin = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Sittanavasal in Tamil Nadu, India
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
}}
{{Jainism}}
'''Sittanavasal Cave''' (also, '''Arivar Koil''') is a 2nd-century Tamil [[Śramaṇa]] complex of caves in [[Sittanavasal]] village in [[Pudukottai]] district of [[Tamil Nadu]], India.<ref name="Rocky">{{cite news|title=Rocky retreat |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/22/stories/2004102200450100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041126152037/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/22/stories/2004102200450100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 November 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="Sudharshan">{{Cite web|url=http://www.indian-heritage.org/swaminathan/sittannavasal/Sittannavasal%20-%20a%20booklet.pdf|title=S u d h a r s a n a m:A centre for Arts and Culture|access-date=26 October 2012|publisher=Indian Heritage Organization}}</ref> Its name is a distorted form of ''Sit-tan-na-va-yil'', a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] word which means "the abode of great saints" (Tamil: சித்தன்னவாசல்). 

The monument is a rock-cut [[monastery]] or temple. Created by Tamil [[Śramaṇa]], it is called the Arivar Koil, and is a rock cut cave temple of the [[Arihant (Jainism)|Arihants]].  It contains remnants of notable [[fresco]]es from the 7th century. The murals have been painted with vegetable and mineral dyes in black, green, yellow, orange, blue, and white. Paintings have been created by applying colours over a thin wet surface of lime plaster.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva">{{Cite web|url=http://puratattva.in/2011/05/02/sittanavasal-the-legacy-of-chitrasutra-13.html|title=Sittanavasal – A passage to the Indian History and Monuments|access-date=26 October 2012|publisher=Puratattva: The Legacy of Chitrasutra, Indian History and Architecture|archive-date=14 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814174527/http://puratattva.in/2011/05/02/sittanavasal-the-legacy-of-chitrasutra-13.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Tamil">{{cite news|title=The Ajanta of TamilNadu|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051127/spectrum/main3.htm|newspaper=The Tribune|date=27 November 2005|publisher=Tribune, India}}</ref>

Ancient structures such as [[Gol Gumbaz]], [[Talagirisvara temple]] and this one are claimed to be relatively unappreciated.<ref name="Behl">{{cite news|last=Behl|first=Benoy K.|title=Appreciate the ancient|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/appreciate-the-ancient/article5756967.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=15 March 2014|date=7 March 2014}}</ref> [[Archaeological Survey of India]] has listed Sittanavasal Cave in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage.{{Sfn|ASI must see|Sittanavasal Cave}}

The Sittanavasal Cave  are listed as one of the ''Adarsh Smarak Monument'' by Archaeological Survey of India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://asi.nic.in/adarsh-smarak/ | title=Adarsh Smarak Monument | publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] | access-date=2 May 2022 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Sitannavàsal 02.jpg|left|thumb|Sittanvasal Cave temple]]
While the Sittanavasal village is dated from 1st century BC to 10th century AD when Jainism flourished here, the Temple-cave was initially dated to [[Pallava]] King [[Mahendravarman I]] (580–630 AD) prior to his conversion from [[Jainism]] to [[Hinduism]] as a [[Shaivite]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Mahabalipuram|publisher=The Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India|year=2004|isbn=|location=New Delhi|last=C.|first=Sivaramamurthi|ref=Malla|page=3, 5}}</ref> However, an inscription attributes its renovation to a [[Pandya]]n king probably Maran Sendan (654–670 AD) or [[Arikesari Maravarman]] (670–700 AD).<ref name="Tatva" /><ref name="ASI">{{cite web |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_tn_rockjaintemple.asp|title=Rock-cut Jaina temple, Sittannavasal|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> The [[Śramaṇa]] beds on the hill top is attributed to the Jain era pilgrimage centre which lasted till the 9th century AD. However, in the Pudukkottai region, where the monuments are located, there are many archaeological finds of the [[megalithic]] burial sites from much earlier.<ref name="Tatva" />
[[File:அரிய சித்தன்னவாசல் ஒவியம் (Rare Siththanna Vaasal Painting).jpg|thumb | Seventh-century painting in Sittanavasal Cave]]

There are two publications in the 20th century which brought to light these monuments in particular: one in 1916, in the book "General History of the [[Pudukkottai State]]" by S. Radhakrishna Iyer, a historian, but only known regionally; and the other by Jouveau-Dubreuil and Gopinatha Rao, iconographers who worked together and brought out a "Monograph on Sittannavasal", in 1920, which brought it to limelight among archaeologists worldwide. The cleaning of the painting was undertaken in 1942 by Dr. [[S. Paramasivan]] and K. R. Srinivasan when they observed a patch of old painting of conventional carpet design superimposed by a new layer of painting. The superimposed layer of painting has been surmised as that done Ilan-Gautaman, whose name is also inscribed.<ref name="Sudharshan" /> The temple is maintained and administered by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] as a ticketed monument.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alphabetical List of Monuments – Tamil Nadu|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_tamilnadu.asp|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=9 September 2013|year=2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=List of ticketed monuments – Tamil Nadu|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_tn.asp|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=9 September 2013|year=2011}}</ref>

==Architectural features==
[[File:N-TN-C166 Rock cut Jain Temple Sittannavasal Pudukkottai.jpg|thumb|Tirthanakar image on wall]]

Sittanavasal is a rock-cut cave, situated on the western side of central part of a hill, which runs in a north–south direction. The hill measures approximately {{Convert|70|m}} in height, and sits above the surrounding plain which has some archaeological monuments. The Jain natural caverns, called Ezhadippattam are approached from the foothills. The cave is approached by climbing a few 100 steps.<ref name="Sudharshan" />

The architectural features of the Sittanvasal Cave include the painting and sculptures found within its precincts.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva" /><ref name="Poetry">{{Cite web|url=http://poetryinstone.in/lang/en/2010/11/01/sittanavasal-the-zenith-of-painting-part-2.html|title=Poetry in Stone|access-date=26 October 2012|publisher=Poetry in Stone}}</ref> Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for the maintenance of the cave and the Jain beds.<ref name="Sudharshan" /> 

The paintings have been painted in [[fresco-secco]] technique with many mineral colours. The painting depict beautiful lotus pond with lotus flowers, people collecting lotuses from the pond, two dancing figures, lilies, fish, geese, buffaloes and elephants.<ref name="Trove">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/citiestowns/Pudukkottai10.aspx?catid=010110P03|title=Pudukottai: Treasure trove of archaeology |access-date=26 October 2012|publisher=Official web site of Tamilnadu Tourism}}</ref> Mulk Raj Anand said of the paintings, "Pallava craftsmen used greens and browns and puqiles, with a genuine ability and a lyrical flow of line. Lotuses spring up from imaginary ponds amid variegated greenery, under a bluish sheen."<ref name="Anand1973">{{cite book|last=Anand|first=Mulk Raj|title=Album of Indian paintings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TtLqAAAAMAAJ|access-date=30 October 2012|year=1973|publisher=National Book Trust, India; [sole distributors: Thomson Press (India), Delhi|page=45}}</ref> In addition, inscriptions of the 9th and 10th century are also seen. The ceiling of the Ardhamandapam is decorated with murals from the 7th century.<ref name="Culture">{{Cite web|url=http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-art/paintings/cave.html|title=Cave Paintings in India|access-date=26 October 2012|publisher=CulturalIndia.net}}</ref> The cave temple has simple pillars and sculptures of Jain [[Tirthankaras]]. However, most of the frescoes which were covered fully in plaster have been severely defaced or not clearly visible due to inadequate security and maintenance resulting in vandalism in the past five or six decades. Originally, the entire cave temple, including the sculptures, was covered with plaster and painted. The paintings are with theme of Jain [[Samavasarana]], the "most attractive heavenly pavilion" (it means the attainment of [[nirvana]]), and ''Khatika bhumi''.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva" />

The layout of the west facing cave is the same as adopted in other rock-cut cave temples in the country during the 7th Century. As originally built, it had only a ''[[garbha-griha]]'' (sanctum sanctorum) and an ardhamandapam (semi hall). However, the ''mukha-[[mandapa]]'' (front hall) was an addition made in the frontage built during the Pandya Rule, which collapsed. Subsequently, a pillared veranda with a facade was added in front of the cave during the 20th century; the [[Pudukkottai state|Maharaja of Pudukkottai]] added this part of structure at the suggestion of Tottenham, the British administrator.<ref name="Sudharshan" /> It has two pillars and two pilasters and a square base entrance to a hexagonal portico, which were brought from the ruins of mantapas at Kudimiyanmalai.<ref name="Sudharshan" />

The Ardhamantapam, after the front entrance, is rectangular in plan of {{convert|20.5|m}} long, {{convert|2.28|m}} wide and {{convert|2.5|m}} high, and the cubical cell of{{convert|2.89|m}} width,<ref name="Tatva" /> (a little higher than the ''garbha-griha'') with a facade which has two pillars and two pilasters at both ends. The pillars as well as pilasters are hexagonal in shape in the middle section while the top and bottom sections are square. Rock beam is sculpted above them as if supporting them; provided with large corbels (''potikai'' in Tamil) with ornamentation or fluting, with an intervening plain band. The pillars which support this mandapam are typical of ''Mahendra-order''.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva" /> The entry into the ''garbha-griha'' is flanked by two niches, which also have smaller size pilasters, similar to the pillar design, with bold relief of lotus medallions carved on them. In the southern and northern sides of the ardhamantapam, niches are provided where the 23rd tirthankara [[Parsvanatha]] and a Jain [[acharya]] (teacher) are respectively carved in bas-relief. Parsvanatha is shown seated in "the dhyana (meditative) pose, cross-legged, with the hands placed one over the other, palms upwards, resting on the folded legs", a five-hooded serpent sheltering his head. An inscription on a pillar to the niche reads ''[Ulo]kaditan'' ("ruler of the world"), indicating Parsvanatha's divinity. The acharya is in a similar posture as Parsvanatha but with an umbrella over his head. The inscription below this niche reads ''Tiruvasiriyan'' ("great teacher").<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Legends across panels|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300370200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040615073503/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300370200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2004|date=13 June 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=India}}</ref>

A door way of {{convert|5.5|ft}} height and {{convert|2.5|ft}} width from the ardhamantapa leads to the sanctum sanctorum (through a flight of steps), which has three bas-relief sculptures. The entrance has ''surul-vyalis'' (balustrades sculptured with the mythical form of vyalis with twisted trunks). The sanctum sanctorum has a square plan of {{convert|2.89|ft}} wide and height of {{convert|7.5|ft}}, and at the back wall there are three bas-reliefs, two are of Jain Tirthankaras (as evidenced by the triple umbrellas (chatris) over them) and the third relief is of an acharya (teacher). The ceiling of the garbha-griha which is painted shows a carved wheel with hub and axle that denotes the [[Dharma-chakra]] ("Wheel-of-the-Law"). Above the three images in [[Lotus position]] (seated posture), paintings are also seen which are surmised to represent a canopy which is carved with carpet designs with striped borders and squares and circles of different sizes with louts flower designs inscribed within the squares. The circles depict crosses with bulbous ends; the horizontal arm of the cross has depictions of human and lion figures. In the other areas, the ceiling has similar paintings as the lotus pond in the ardhamantapam.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Plaque">{{Cite web|url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/A_ASI_announcement_in_Sittanavasal_2.JPG|title=Plaque at the site showing details of rocjkcut Jaina Temple (Aravirkovil|access-date=26 October 2012|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)}}</ref> Plastered walls of the Sittanavasal Cave have varying thickness of {{convert|1|-|8|mm}}. The pigmentation used for the paintings is over 1000 years old. Echo effect is clearly heard, if "om" is recited, only if inaudibly, in the small shrine.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva" />

==Paintings==
{{multiple image
  |direction = vertical
  |align     = right
  |width     = 250
  |footer    = 
  |image1    = Südindischer Meister um 850 001.jpg
  |alt1      =
  |caption1  = Painting on the roof of the Sittanvasal Cave
  |image2    = Südindischer Meister um 850 002.jpg
  |alt2      =
  |caption2  = Painting on the roof of the Sittanvasal Cave
}}

The decorative paintings in the ceiling of the sanctum and ardha-mandapam of Aravirkovil though compared to the classical cave painting styles used in the [[Ajanta Caves]] but have minor variations in use of the materials for creating the paintings and also reported to provide a link between the Ajanta paintings (4th–6th century AD) and the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] paintings of 11th century at [[Thanjavur]].<ref name="Sudharshan" /> The ceilings have depiction of a lotus tank with natural looking images of men, animals, flowers, birds and fishes representing the Samavasarana faith of Jainism. The pillars are also carved with dancing girl and the king and the queen.<ref name="Plaque" />

Paintings in the roof of the Ardhamnatapa are the mural paintings with Samavasarana theme. The mural exhibits a water tank or ''khatika-bhumi'' which is shown with the tank made of tiles filled with lotus flowers and surrounded by ''bhavyas'' ("the faithful"), elephants, fishes, one fish shown as jumping out of water, pillars with figurines of Pandya king Srimara Srivallabha (9th century AD) and his queen offering reverence to Ilam Gautaman, an acharya of [[Madura]] who created these paintings. While cleaning the paintings, one more layer of Samavasarana themed painting was revealed in the ceiling of the Garbha-griha, but in a carpet-design.<ref name="Tatva" /><ref name="ASI" /> 

The study done by an artist on the depictions of the roof painting panel reveals: 3 birds, a man in loin cloth plucking flowers and the man is shown with a lily on right hand and lotuses on left hand, an elephant and fishes swimming, bird's eye on the top left corner.<ref name="Poetry" />

Though severely damaged due to vandalism, remaining [[Fresco]]es have been preserved on the top parts of columns and ceilings inside the temple. Many of them are typical of the 9th century Pandyan period and include detailed pictures of elephants, buffaloes, fish, geese, Jains gathering lotuses from a pond and dancing girls.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_tn_rockjaintemple.asp|title=Rock-cut Jaina temple, Sittannavasal|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref> These frescoes are considered to be some of the best frescoes of medieval India next to frescoes of Ajanta Caves and [[Bagh Caves]].<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Tatva" /><ref name="ASI" /> Not so well planned is the arrangement of panels of the Sittanvassal cave temple; the idea of an ensemble has not been adopted but arranged in a haphazard way.<ref name="Pereira 1977">{{cite book|last= Pereira |first= José  |title= Conservation of Ancient Sites on the Silk Road Monolithic Jinas The Iconography of the Jain Temples of Ellora |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LMTgiygj4-oC&q=Sittanavasal+Cave+Temple&pg=PA14|access-date=26 October 2012|year=1977|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=9788120823976|page=14}}</ref>

Painting of the Sittanvasal Caves were analysed to establish the technique and the material used to make the. Analysing a painting of a lotus pond in the ardhamantpam, it has been inferred that they are made with [[Fresco-secco]], techniques made over rough stone using rough plaster of {{Convert|2.5|mm}} thickness made of [[lime mortar]] and [[sand]] with minor impurities, applying {{Convert|0.5|mm}} thick lime wash of fine [[lime water]] when the rough [[lime plaster]] is still rough. The pigments used are composed of white made from [[lime (material)|lime]], black made from [[Terra preta|wood charcoal]] or [[lamp black]], yellow from [[yellow ochre]], red from [[red ochre]], blue from [[ultramarine]]\[[lapis lazuli]], and green from [[Green earth|terre verte]]. [[Pigments]] of permanent mineral colours (not vegetable colours as reported on the display plaque at the site by [[Archaeological Survey of India|ASI]]) were applied over dry plaster surfaces without any adhesive grove; the process involved a chemical reaction of lime water which absorbed [[oxygen]]in the air and getting converted by a [[Carbonization|carbonisation process]] into insoluble [[calcium carbonate]], which enabled the pigments to adhere to the surface.<ref name="Sudharshan" /><ref name="Agnew 2010">{{cite book|last= Agnew |first= Neville |title= Conservation of Ancient Sites on the Silk Road |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n8YAyXzJE2IC&q=Sittanavasal+Cave+Temple&pg=PA338|access-date=26 October 2012|year=2010|publisher= Getty Publications |isbn=9781606060131|pages=338–339}}</ref> At the initiative of [[Pudukkottai State]], during 1937–39, the paintings were cleaned, and then given a preservative coating. Also, the damaged portions of the plastering were injected with cementing material and the paintings were also retouched.<ref name="Sudharshan" />

The condition of paintings are deteriorating.<ref name="Krupa 2014">{{cite web | last=Krupa | first=Lakshmi | title=Saving Sittanavasal | website=The Hindu | date=24 March 2014 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/saving-sittanavasal/article5826049.ece | access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref>

== In Popular Culture ==
Lyricist Vaali has made a reference to the Sittanavasal caves in two of his songs - Enna Vilai Azhage (Movie - Kaadalar Dinam) and Sorgathin Vasapadi (Movie - Unnai Solli Kutramillai)

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Sittanavasal Jain Statue.jpg|[[Parshva]]
File:Sittanavasal Jain Statue 1.jpg|A Jain image
File:Jain Sculpture close to Sittanavasal,India.jpg|Tirthankar sculpture
File:Sittanavasal Passage to the Rock Bed Cave.jpg|Passage leading to Rock Beds
File:Sittanavasal Rock Bed.jpg|One of 17 rock beds
File:Sittanavasal Rock Bed Inscription.jpg|Rock Bed Inscriptions
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Śramaṇa]]
*[[Tamil Jain]]
{{commons category|Sittanavasal Cave}}
==References==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{Cite web| url=http://asimustsee.nic.in/rock_cut_jain_temple_sittanasal.php | title=Rock cut Jain temple, Sittanavasal | website=Archaeological Survey of India | ref={{SfnRef|ASI must see|Sittanavasal Cave}} }}

==External links==
*[http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/TamilNadu/Sittanav.htm Sittanavasal Cave and Eladipattam] by Wondermondo
*[http://www.trichy.com/places/sittanavasal/ Sittanavasal profile]
*{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070717230023/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2121/stories/20041022000406400.htm Article on Indian Murals]}}
*[http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/appreciate-the-ancient/article5756967.ece Appreciation of the Ancient] The Hindu

{{Pudukkottai district}}
{{Jain Caves in India}}

[[Category:Jainism in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:2nd-century Jain temples]]
[[Category:Jain rock-cut architecture]]
[[Category:Pandyan architecture]]
[[Category:Pallava architecture]]
[[Category:Tamil art]]
[[Category:Jain caves in India]]