KONGARPULIYANKULAM
History-
Kongarpuliyankulam has a total of eight caverns within the area of a single rock
formation. On the rounded edge of the roof in one of these caverns are found
three Hramhi inscriptions in the bold-style characteristic of the second century
B.C. Situated below this solitary cave are the remaining caverns. One contains a
total of six berths positioned along a north south axis. Only four of these
berths remain in a good state of preservation, and none have the characteristic
"pillow-loft." The other caves contain ten, six, eight, four, and three berths
respectively. The
last cave chamber contains six berths, but they are badly damaged. Another
important archaeological feature situated near this complex is a rock with a
bold relief sculpture of a Tirthankara seated in padmasana. The figure bears
stylistic features of the ninth century. The inscription, incised below the
image palaeographically assigned to the same century, records, that the revered
monk, Ajjanandi, Commissioned the icon.
Guidance- Kongarpuliyankulam, situated nine miles south-west of Madurai.