Navach Chunai, Sittannavasal
The Navach Chunai is a tarn situated on the eastern
slope of central part of the rocky hillock. It is about one kilometer north of
the Ezhadippattam, at a somewhat lower level than it. Reaching this place
requires a lot of rock-climbing and trekking and would need somebody to guide.
The pool takes its name from a naval maram or Jambu tree
(Syzygium jambolanum) close by.
Like the Talai aruvisingam tarn of Narttamalai (on the
Mela-malai), this contains inside, a submerged rock-cut shrine. Stylistically
it is a late Pandya temple (13th century AD). It contains a Siva lingam in the
centre and a narrow passage to walk round. The water is occasionally bailed
out, and the lingam worshipped. This is locally called the Jambunatha’s cave.
