The Hindu              07.01.2014

Sithannavasal gets a Rs. 2-crore facelift

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.