It is poetry in stone. The entire roof of the outer mandapam has been converted into a huge canvas with a magnificent pond brimming with life and brilliantly portrays three birds, a man and even an elephant in addition to a school fish.
This and many frescos that greet the onlookers and the rock-cave which are part of Sittanavasal near Tiruchy would soon be put on the global tourism map.
Though the spot attracts visitors – including a good number from abroad annually, the tourism authorities have decided to showcase the ancient Indian art to lure more visitors.
The state government has proposed to take up tourism development works at Sittanavasal at a cost of Rs 6.9 crore soon.
The government had already spent Rs 1 crore in taking up development work, particularly in restoring the frescos, which were drawn using natural dyes. A team of officials recently undertook a visit to the spot to study the possibilities of promoting the site.
Accordingly, the officials have formulated a project for `6.9 crore and submitted them to the tourism department for approval.
According to sources, it has been planned to create wayside amenities for the benefit of the tourists.
“Though it is located about 58 km from Tiruchy, there are not many trained guides who could explain the history or the important aspects of Sittanavasal,” says Aravind Kumar of Chennai.
“A first-time visitor is likely to miss the minute details of the frescos, several of them belong to the 9th century Pandyan period and include exquisite details of animals, fish, ducks, people gathering lotuses from a pond and two dancing figures,” says a tour operator.
