PUDUKKOTTAI

Pudukkottai is the administrative headquarters of Pudukkottai District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks of River Vellar, it has been ruled, at different times, by the Early Pandyas, Thondaimans, and the British. It is situated about 395 kilometres southwest of Chennai and about 55 kilometres southwest of Tiruchirappalli. The people in the city are employed majorly in teritiary sector activities. Being the district headquarters, Pudukkottai accommodates the district administration offices, government educational institutes, colleges and schools. Roadways is the major mode of transport to the city, while it has also got rail connectivity. In the famous temple of Gokarnesvara in Thirugokarnam, a suburb of the town, two inscriptions, one belonging to the 14th century and the other to the 15th century, refer to the name of the town as Pudukkottai. It has been inferred that Raghunatha Raya Tondaiman, who built the town in 1686, must have also fortified parts of it within about ten years of his reign. It is probable that the fortification was destroyed between 1732 and 1734 by Chanda-sahib or Ananda Rao, or both during their invasions of the town. Pudukkottai has a semi-arid climate with high temperatures throughout the year, and relatively low rainfall. Pudukkottai has a plain terrain with a few rocky hills intersped in the outskirts. The rivers that flow in Pudukkottai are Amaravathy, Noyal, Bhavani, and Cavery. There are no notable mineral resources available in and around the city.

Sittanavasal

Sittanavasal Cave, also known as Arivar Kovil, and are small in size, excavated in a bluff on the western slope of the hill in its centre. It is noted for its paintings which have been painted in fresco-secco technique with many mineral colours. The painting themes depic a beautiful lotus pond and flowers, people collecting lotuses from the pond, two dancing figures, lilies, fish, geese, buffaloes and elephants. 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.” In addition, inscriptions of the 9th and 10th century are also seen. The exquisite ceiling of the Ardhamandapam is decorated with murals from the 7th century. The cave temple has placid 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 on the theme of Jaina Samavasarana, the “most attractive heavenly pavilion”, referring to the attainment of Nirvana and Khatika bhumi.