JAMBU WELL HILL (Caves on)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Modified natural rock shelters used as troglodyte hermitage retreats reported PARKER (1909: 417-418) from The Hill of the Jambu Well (note 1). SITUATION: About eight miles [13 km] north-east of Vilankulam [note 2], in the Northern Province. The hill itself is quite inconspicuous and is hidden in the midst of wild thorny jungle frequented by bears, three of which, an adult and two cubs, escaped from an open cave at it on the occasion of my first visit to the place. The top of the hill is crowned by rocks and large boulders, a few of which are also on its slopes; the hollows under their sides formed shelters which were improved for the occupation of the monks who took up their residence in them. PARKER (1909: 418): There are two other low hills to the south of it, called respectively Tevandan Puliyankulam Malei [note 3], and Erupotana-kanda [note 4], the three being nearly in a line about one and a half miles [2.5 km or so] long. Erupotana-kanda is a hill somewhat like Niravi Malei, buthigher, with numerous large boulders on its slopes. The other hill is formed by an immense steep-sided rock, with a high vertical precipice to the east, and a gradual ascent on the north and south-west sides. There are large boulders on its top, which extends in a long north and south line. CAVE DESCRIPTION (PARKER 1909: 418-419): The caves … cleared out and prepared for the occupation of the ascetic monks to whose use it was made over. … At two of the caves a deep cut [drip ledge], termed a katdra, was also made along the rock, above the front of the cave, and for a short distance below this the face of the stone was cut away, as is usual in nearly all such cases, in order to prevent the rain-water that trickled down the front of the upper part of the rock from entering the room.Modified natural rock shelters used as troglodyte hermitage retreats reported PARKER (1909: 417-418) from The Hill of the Jambu Well (note 1). SITUATION: About eight miles [13 km] north-east of Vilankulam [note 2], in the Northern Province. The hill itself is quite inconspicuous and is hidden in the midst of wild thorny jungle frequented by bears, three of which, an adult and two cubs, escaped from an open cave at it on the occasion of my first visit to the place. The top of the hill is crowned by rocks and large boulders, a few of which are also on its slopes; the hollows under their sides formed shelters which were improved for the occupation of the monks who took up their residence in them. PARKER (1909: 418): There are two other low hills to the south of it, called respectively Tevandan Puliyankulam Malei [note 3], and Erupotana-kanda [note 4], the three being nearly in a line about one and a half miles [2.5 km or so] long. Erupotana-kanda is a hill somewhat like Niravi Malei, buthigher, with numerous large boulders on its slopes. The other hill is formed by an immense steep-sided rock, with a high vertical precipice to the east, and a gradual ascent on the north and south-west sides. There are large boulders on its top, which extends in a long north and south line. CAVE DESCRIPTION (PARKER 1909: 418-419): The caves … cleared out and prepared for the occupation of the ascetic monks to whose use it was made over. … At two of the caves a deep cut [drip ledge], termed a katdra, was also made along the rock, above the front of the cave, and for a short distance below this the face of the stone was cut away, as is usual in nearly all such cases, in order to prevent the rain-water that trickled down the front of the upper part of the rock from entering the room.