Samanar – Site 1
Map: 9° 55′ 49.80″ N, 78° 1′ 22.20″ E, 180m
Location: Vadapallanji (வடப்பழஞ்ஜி), 10km east of Madurai city, Tamil Nadu, India
The cave entrance. Though I use the word "cave" most of these are just large shelters under natural rock formations. Inside this cave there are a number of beds carved right into the stone.
Two Samanar monks, Mahaviras.
It was typical of samanars to have murthis of their guru once they've passed on.
Even though they're carved out of solid stone right into the hill, they are amazingly comfortable. Even the two kids who accompanied me couldn't stop repeating to themselves of just how peaceful it was. Must be the energy from the Samanars.
Beds.
All the beds have a head-rest carved into the stone.
More beds.