The Tamil University of Thanjavur is an institution, dedicated to research pursuits. As originally designed by the makers of this University the plan was to conduct original projects by qualified staff and not to have any teaching programme. With the lapse of time, it was thought better to introduce courses of research and programmes in Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy were introduced. I was No. 1 to join the Master of Philosophy course under the guidance of Professor Raju Kalidos. Having completed a thesis on the Tirumeyyam temples, I opted to further continue for the Doctor of Philosophy. Busy with his own schedule, my tutor, Dr. Raju Kalidos, found time to allow me to be his doctoral candidate. The problems found in the Tirumeyyam temples were an eye-opener to see the tradition of a temple within its own gubernatorial circle. Naturally my choice for the doctoral thesis fell on the rock-cut caves of the region if they offer more clues to confirm my earlier thesis. My earlier thesis was that the caves and their later growth were interlinked with an everlasting process of development to the present day. Coupled with the evolution of the temples was the ritual which continued to foster. These add a living image to the Cave Temples of Putukkōṭṭai Region, my subject for the doctoral study.