23rd December 2018.
The visit to this Jain beds is a part of Bagavathy Hills heritage trekking organized by the History of Vellore Facebook group. The Bagavathy Hill is about 1100 feet with many Natural shelter. These caves are prehistoric habitation site and latter occupied by the Jains. It was told that Neolithic period ( 10000 BC ) tools are found from this shelters/ hill. From 2nd Century these shelters are occupied by the Jains.
Above 800 feet there are no much trees or vegetation except lemon grass and shrubs. Steps are chiseled on the rocks to climb up for about 50 feet. On the top of the hill there are some cave shelters, an Amman Temple and remains of old temples. One of the cave shelter has the 10th century Rashtrakuda King Kannaradevan’s inscription and Kannada inscriptions. Just near to this Three Jain beds are chiseled in a shelter with Brahmi inscriptions. These inscriptions are heavily damaged and un readable due to vandalism by the miscreants. Perhaps the inscriptions are the name of the persons responsible for creating the beds for Jain monks.
In addition to this there are two pathams carved on a rock near dilapidated temple structures on the top of the hill. It was told these pathams are related to Jainism. The pathams are being worshiped by the locals who ventured to this hill to worship Sri Kalki Bagavathy Amman. Looking at the carvings, in my opinion it may not be connected with Jainism.
LOCATION:CLICK HERE
Jain beds
Brahmi inscriptions are faintly visible
Brahmi inscriptions are faintly visible
Sripatham
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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