Sittanavasal Cave 1. Introduction Sittanavasal Cave, also known as Arivar Koil , is an ancient rock-cut Jain monastery and temple located in the Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu, India . The site is globally renowned for its early fresco paintings and Jain heritage . 2. Etymology · The name Sittanavasal comes from the Tamil phrase ( Sit-tan-na-va-yil) , meaning “the abode of great saints.” · It highlights the cave’s association with Jain monks and spiritual practices . 3. Historical Background Early Phase (1st century BC – 4th century AD): o Jain monks inhabited the region. o Rock-cut Jaina beds (Ezhadipattam) were created for meditation. o Brahmi inscriptions are found here, proving its antiquity . Medieval Period (7th – 9th century AD): ...