KONGAR PULIYANGULAM PALLI

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Man-made rock chambers (in Tamil: palli), possibly modified from natural caves (note 1), were excavated and used during the 200 BC to 200 AD Sangam period (RAJAN 2006) by Jain monks for troglodyte religious purposes and endogean sleeping on kal-stones for dindu-pillows or bed (note 2). Compare the –>Samanar Caves. SITUATION: At Kongarpuliyangulam (note 3), the Kongar Puliyangulam in Nagamalai hillocks (RAJAN 2006), which is said to lie at a travelling distance of about 25 km, probably along roads, in an unspecified direction (west?) from Madura City (N09°55': E078°07' Survey of India sheet 58-K/01 edition 1969). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2006: With rows of stone beds [note 4] and tiny altars, the caves were made the abodes or 'Palli' for the nude monks, who turned them into schools and hospitals. Occasionally they also provided political asylum. The abode of the monks, 'Palli', which also means school in Tamil, ows its origin to the Jains, who were the first missionaries to democraise education by taking it to the masses, say some scholars. […] Sculptures of the Thirthankaras and Iyakki inside the caves are deemed proof that the monks returned here during the revival of Jainism after the Bhakti movement. […] Brahmi and 'Vatteluthu' inscriptions found in these caves were the first of their kind in the country, says noted epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan. The inscriptions bear the names of those who made donations for making the caves hospitable abodes. The caves have been cut in such a manner as to prevent entry of seepage of rainwater and excessive sunlight. The rock-beds have pillow-like enhancement and are smooth. Inside the caves, it is very cool and pleasant even on a bright sunny day (RAJAN 2006, with monochrome photograph, without scale, 5.7 by 8.5 mm, showing an irregularly shaped cave entrance in an irregularly shaped rock face with a seated sculpture in relief). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2008: Kongarpuliyankulam has eight caves in a single hill. The Brahmi iscriptions on the lip of the upper cave is dated to 2C BCE. There are more than 40 beds, most of which are in some disrepair [note 5] … Also there is a separate bed in an adjacent cave, which may have been meant for a monk elder. At the end of the range blasting and quarrying are on. At the top there is a rock-cut tank, presumably for the monks ( (Vijaya Sherry Chand, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on: iimahd.ernet.in/~vijaya/sit.htm accessed 2008.06.01). CULTURAL HISTORY - Quarrying: Having withstood the vagaries of nature for over 2000 years, Jain heritage sites in and round this temple city, with ancient inscriptions and stone sculpture, face a threat to their existence from illegal granite quarrying. Of the many Jain caves, found aplenty in this part of Tamil Nadu, where Jainism flourished right from the Sangam , only 17 are without much damage. Quarrying on sites continguous to these caves continues in many places including at Nagamalai, about 25 from the cit. Quarrying can be seen at the far end of the hillock at the back of the Jain caves at Nagamalai though the Archaeological Department Assistant Director Dr. C. Santhalingam claims that the apprehensions are unfounded. Quarrying had been banned in areas adjoining heritage sites and the earlies distance of 300 m had actually been increased, he said, adding that in case of any difference in opinion, the Mining Department would have to unertake a joint inspection and a No Objection Certificate from the Archaeology Department was mandatory. Still, local people expressed apprehension about the hillocks vanishing if quarrying continued unabated (RAJAN 2006).scriptions on the lip of the upper cave is dated to 2C BCE. There are more than 40 beds, most of which are in some disrepair [note 5] … Also there is a separate bed in an adjacent cave, which may have been meant for a monk elder. At the end of the range blasting and quarrying are on. At the top there is a rock-cut tank, presumably for the monks ( (Vijaya Sherry Chand, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on: iimahd.ernet.in/~vijaya/sit.htm accessed 2008.06.01). CULTURAL HISTORY - Quarrying: Having withstood the vagaries of nature for over 2000 years, Jain heritage sites in and round this temple city, with ancient inscriptions and stone sculpture, face a threat to their existence from illegal granite quarrying. Of the many Jain caves, found aplenty in this part of Tamil Nadu, where Jainism flourished right from the Sangam , only 17 are without much damage. Quarrying on sites continguous to these caves continues in many places including at Nagamalai, about 25 from the citscriptions on the lip of the upper cave is dated to 2C BCE. There are more than 40 beds, most of which are in some disrepair [note 5] … Also there is a separate bed in an adjacent cave, which may have been meant for a monk elder. At the end of the range blasting and quarrying are on. At the top there is a rock-cut tank, presumably for the monks ( (Vijaya Sherry Chand, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on: iimahd.ernet.in/~vijaya/sit.htm accessed 2008.06.01). CULTURAL HISTORY - Quarrying: Having withstood the vagaries of nature for over 2000 years, Jain heritage sites in and round this temple city, with ancient inscriptions and stone sculpture, face a threat to their existence from illegal granite quarrying. Of the many Jain caves, found aplenty in this part of Tamil Nadu, where Jainism flourished right from the Sangam , only 17 are without much damage. Quarrying on sites continguous to these caves continues in many places including at Nagamalai, about 25 from the cit. Quarrying can be seen at the far end of the hillock at the back of the Jain caves at Nagamalai though the Archaeological Department Assistant Director Dr. C. Santhalingam claims that the apprehensions are unfounded. Quarrying had been banned in areas adjoining heritage sites and the earlies distance of 300 m had actually been increased, he said, adding that in case of any difference in opinion, the Mining Department would have to unertake a joint inspection and a No Objection Certificate from the Archaeology Department was mandatory. Still, local people expressed apprehension about the hillocks vanishing if quarrying continued unabated (RAJAN 2006).