The Hindu 07.01.2014

Sithannavasal gets a Rs. 2-crore facelift

makeover:A new welcome arch has been erected at the entrance to the temple.

Sithannavasal, a tourism destination known for its Jain cave temple and paintings, has got a facelift – thanks to a slew of developmental works executed at the sprawling space outside the temple. The temple comes under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Tourism development programmes have been executed for the past four years in a phased manner with funds sanctioned by the Sithannavasal village panchayat, (Rs.55.64 lakh), general funds of the Annavasal panchayat union (Rs.77.65 lakh), Town and Country Planning department (Rs.13 lakh), Tourism department (Rs.59.86 lakh), and through the Viralimalai MLA Local Area Development Fund (Rs.16 lakh), according to sources.

While a few existing facilities such as boat jetty, musical fountain, and children’s park have been revamped; a new welcome arch has been erected at the entrance to the temple.

Speaking after inaugurating the facilities, S.P. Shanmuganathan, Tourism Minister, said that the development works ensure that the Jain monument receives a steady stream of tourists. The number of international tourists visiting the spot has also increased over the years. A sum of Rs.3.11 crore had been allocated to Pudukottai district for various tourism promotion projects.

C. Vijayabaskar, Minister for Health, said that the tourism development programmes aimed at sensitising youth to the importance of our history and culture. About Rs.2.24 crore had been spent for tourism-related programmes at Sithannavasal, he said. N. Subramanian, Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare, said the State government attached priority for promoting tourism in the State. A new tourist office would be set up in Pudukottai for which a site was being identified, said Collector C. Manoharan who presided over the function.