Tamil Nadu Jain Monuments-kanniyakumari,Tirunelveli,Theni District

In Tamil Nadu, the earliest existing religious vestiges are the natural caves. These caves once served as the habitats of Jaina monks, found in some of the hills in Tirunelveli, Madurai, Pudukkottai, Periyar, Trichy and erstwhile South Arcot and North Arcot districts. The numbers of these vestiges have reached more than one hundred so far due to the tireless efforts of the archaeologists over the last five decades. These early caves were found amidst picturesque surroundings. These were the residence of mendicants who resolved to spend their lives in splendid isolation and engaged themselves in contemplation and religious pursuits. These Jaina caves in Tamil Nadu are important for numerous reasons. The earliest lithic monuments of this region were represented by them. The earliest epigraphic records in Brahmi characters can be seen in these caves. These belonged to a period from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd or 4th century AD and above all they provide authentic evidence of the early spread of Jainism in TamilNadu.                                      
      These early vestiges were the resorts of the hermits. These caves were made suitable for habitation by cutting stone beds in them. The beds were chiseled smooth raising one side a little to serve as pillows. To prevent rainwater flowing into the cave shelters, the overhanging rock was cut in the form of drip-ledge. These caves were often provided with structural additions in front in the form of thatched roof, which was supported by wooden poles. This fact is proved from several holes cut into the open rock surfaces of the caves, which are well visible now. Most of these vestiges of Tamil Nadu were near springs of water, which served the basic needs of the austere. 

The early Jaina caves were discovered from almost all the districts of Tamil Nadu. But most of them were recovered from Madurai. Approximately, twenty-six caves with not less that one hundred and forty stone beds were recovered from places like Anaimalai, Alagarmalai, Arittapatti, Tiruparankundram, Muttupatti, Vikramangalam, Tiruvatavur and Varichiyur. All these places are located within a radius of 20 miles from Madurai town. The 2nd to 1st century BC Brahmi records can be seen in these early vestiges of Tamil Nadu. These refer to the names of the resident monks as well as the laity who caused stone beds to be cut. 

The next district of Tamil Nadu having maximum number of the vestiges is the Trichy district. The three pallis (Jain temples) at Pugalur, Sivayam and Trichy Rock Fort are among the important vestiges of Tamil Nadu. There are three caves found in South Arcot also. These are at Jambai, Paraiyanpattu and Tirunathankunru but they belong to a slightly later in date. There are two other places of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu named Kutrralam and Marukaltali, where the two early Jaina centres with cave beds and Brahmi records can be found. Few other interesting lithic records can be seen in Pudukkottai, Pasumpon, Periyar and North Aroct districts of Tamil Nadu. 

Besides these, Pudukkottai, Sittannavassal, South Arcot and North Aroct districts have about 30 more natural caves with a series of stone beds. But there is no sign of any early Brahmi inscriptions there. So, they cannot be rendered as a part of the early period. The available sculptural and epigraphic evidence from the above mentioned centres belong to the 8th and 9th centuries AD. The sculptures representing Tirthankaras, yakshas and yakshas were suppose to be added to the already existing Jaina foundation. 

1. Kanniyakumari District. Agatheeswaram, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavankode Taluk. 

The district administration has decided to organise a tourism festival at Chitharal cave temple near Arumanai in the second week of this month, said the Collector S. Madhumathi. According to her, various cultural programmes and competitions would be conducted. Influence of Jainism in Kanyakumari district is evident. There are four Jain temples including Chitharal, Nagaraja Temple in Nagercoil, Kurathiarai cave temple and Thirunanthikarai cave temple near Kulasekaram. Though, it is said that Jain temples existed in Kurandi and Pallikkal, there are no traces of it in these places.

Historical journey 

In the inscriptions, Chitharal mountain was known as Thiru Channathu Malai and at the top of the mountain there was a Jain cave temple, which was called as Thiru Charanathu Palli – the abode of Jain monks.“It may be during the 9th century AD that these monks belonging to the Digambara sect established the site and we come across this in an inscription, found in the mountain which mentions an Aye King Vikramaditya Varaguna (885-925 AD)', said the co-convener of Conservation of Natural Trust, Dr.Sumithra Raguvaran.Earliest sculptures  

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kanyakumari-gets-ready-for-cave-temple-festival/article2776634.ece

The earliest sculptures that one can find in Kanyakumari district belongs to Chitharal, which is situated in Vilavancode Taluk, near Arumanai.At the top of the mountain there is an overhanging rock and over this hangs another rock thus naturally forming a cave, which was then skilfully converted into a palli /cave temple.There are beautiful sculptures on the overhanging rock.Wooing tourists The Collector has sought the co-operation of people from all walks of life for the successful celebration of the Chitharal cave temple.She also visited the cave temple to check the infrastructure facilities made to attract tourists.Revenue divisional officer Mohana Chandran (Padmanabhapuram), Assistant Director of Town panchayats and representatives of various local bodies attended the meeting that was convened by the Collector.

https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Thiruvalluvar_Statue&params=8.0777_N_77.5539_E_type:landmark

1. The Thiruvalluvar Statue

The Thiruvalluvar Statue, a colossus monument in stone .The monument, installed at a cost of Rs. 6.14 crores, stands at the confluence of the three seas on the minor rock adjoining the Vivekananda rock memorial in the southern tip of the peninsular India. Its height signifies the 133 chapters of the ``Thirukkural''. The statue measuring 95 feet, is placed on a 38-foot-high pedestal (Adhara Peedam). The right hand of Thiruvalluvar with three fingers pointing skywards, signifies the three cantos of ``Thirukkural'' - ``Aram, Porul and Inbam''.

2. Sripada Parai

Located in the midst of the ocean, just 400 meters from Kanyakumari, is the magnificent Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This colossal structure was built in the year 1970, under the guidance of Shri Eknath Ranade. The Vivekananda rock temple is dedicated to one of the greatest spiritual philosophers of India, Swami Vivekananda. It is said that Swami Vivekananda meditated here before setting out on one of the most crucial religious campaigns in India in 1892. The idea of building Vivekananda Memorial Rock temple was conceptualized on his birth centenary in the year 1962. Previously Jain monks were reside and preached Jainism.

3. Thirunanthikarai is a village situated in Thirparappu panchayath, in the Kanyakumari district 

Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple is one of Kanyakumari's most ancient temples. Believed to have been established in the 9th century AD, this temple is one of Jain religion's founding stones. Earlier, there were several sculptures present inside the temple, which attracted devotees and visitors.

Although the sculptures do not exist at present, there are stone carvings that narrate many interesting tales pertaining to the Indian culture and religion. One of the stone carvings state that King Raja Raja Chola captured Muttom and renamed it as Mummudi Chola Nalloor. As per research, King Raja Raja Chola celebrated his birthday at this temple in AD 1003. This temple served as home to an ascetic named Veeranandi, who preached Jainism during the 8th century. 

Currently, the temple is under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and is an interesting place to visit.

Tirunandikarai rock-cut Jain vestige: Exactly like Kaviyur, Kallil and Kattilapara in Kerala. Carved into a gigantic granite monolith in the 7th century by Vira Nandi and disciples. The Vateluthu inscriptions talk about Vikramadithya Varaguna the Ay king and Raja Raja Chola who celebrated his birthday here.                 Coutesy ajaysekhar.net

4. Chitharal, a small village near Marthandam in Kanyakumari

Take NH 47 from Thiruvanathapuram to Kanyakumari. At Marthandam, turn left to reach Attoor and then left again. If you keep your eyes open, you will see a sign that indicates the road to Chitharal. It is best to ask locals for directions to reach the caves, which is about two km away

Historian T.A. Gopinatha Rao, who edited the seminal 

The Travancore Archaeological Series, had visited the place in 1920-21. According to him, the inscription says that the temple was built during the reign of the king Vikramaditya Varaguna. It was erected at Tiruchcharanam at the behest of a Jain priestess called Muttavala Naranakuttiyar, who also presented the temple a metallic lamp stand and a golden flower.

The Travancore Archaeological Series explains that Tiruchcharanattu malai seems to the correct name of the hill and it means the hill holy to the charanas (Jain ascetics) or where Jain saints lived in large numbers. In its heyday, the place attracted Jain scholars and saints from Tanjavur and other Jain centres in South India. These scholars and ascetic have left votive images cut on the rock with inscriptions under each of them, giving the name of the individual who caused it to be sculptured

 The cave now has a mandapa, a verandah and a bali pita. Carved in half-relief, the figures of the Tirthankaras and attendant deities indicate that this was once a Jain monument. The central shrine has three chambers. In the middle is the figure of Mahavira Tirthankara and on the left, Parsvanatha Tirthankara, and to the right, Padmavathi. Above the central shrine is a brick gopura, a portion of which was apparently destroyed by lightning

  

The old photograph of Chitaral temple from C. Neelakanta Pillai’s collection.    Photo courtesy: Sharat Sunder Rajeev

Sometime in the 13th Century, this place was converted into a Hindu temple. Another flight of steps takes us to the ruins of a temple-like structure right on the peak of the hill. Dark clouds on the horizon warn of rain and so we descend to the caves below. Another flight of steps leads down to a calm, dark green natural pond, surprisingly clean and free of plastic.

 5.  The place Nagerkoil also has got its name from Nagar ( Nagarani ).JAIN BELIEF: Once upon a time, a pair of Snakes lived in this place. Mahibalan killed them. During death they were listening to the chanting of Parasvanath. By virtue of that, they got rebirth as the King and Queen of Snakes in the underworld. Later , a Gandharvan named Samwaran was travelling across the sky. He was disturbed by the chanting of Parasvanath. So he made heavy rain fall to submerge him. The king cobra ( Dharnendra) raised its hood over Parasvanath and protected his tapas from the rain. As rain continued, water level raised. To prevent Parasvanath from sinking, the Queen Cobra ( Padmavathy) became a Lotus flower and gave seat to Parasvanath. Samwaran couldn’t succeed in his effort.  We get to see 2 huge snake statues in the temple, depicting this story.

When the temple was first constructed Nagaraja told in the dream of the king of Kalakkadu that his roof should be only a thatched roof. So the Western side roof is still a thatched roof. Every  year, when  they remake the roof, they see a snake in it.The main diety in the sanctum  sanctorum is installed on water. Water keeps oozing slowly and the sand from this basement is given as Prasadam to devotees. 6 months the sand will be black and for next 6 months, it will be normal sand. For centuries together, they are taking up sand as prasadam and giving to devotees. But there is no crater created in that spot from where sand is being continuously taken as prasadam . The level of the basement of the sanctum sanctorum is remaining the same. This is still a grerat puzzle and miracle. There is neither any Peetam nor any roof for this sanctum sanctorum.During the 8th century, this area was referred as Kottar only. Thirugnansamndar has mentioned about Kottar being a main centre for Jains during his period. Till the 16th Century mid, this was a Jain temple only.There are 2 huge 6 feet high snake statues  in the temple. Scholars have done research of the same and declared that male snake will be carved smaller in size and female snake is generally carved bigger in size. Seeing the southside snake, they confirm that the main diety here is Nagarani only. Looking at the inscriptions of Jains, its mentioned as “ for Nagara nd Nagarajar”.

Its inferred that Nagar means Queen Cobra. Till 1589 (Kollam era 764), the diety on the left is named as Nagarajar. Between 1589 to 1644, it was named as Thiru Anantha Aalwaar. From 1644AD, its named as Anantha Krishnan. None of the inscriptions have any mention of a Krishnan deity here. Even the dwajasthambam ( flagmast) has Koormam on its top, as seen in Mahameru. Since its not Garudan on the flagmast, its told that the deity is not Krishnan and its only Nagarajan.So the main sanctum sanctorum deity – the 5 hooded Cobra is Nagarani only. The Ananthakrishnan is actually Nagarajan. In between these 2 deities we see a beautiful Shiva lingam deity. Here Lord Shiva is in the form of Vaayu ( Air ).

During the 7th, 8th Century, Jainism was spread across Kanyakumari district and in the Kongu area ( Coimbatore, Erode belt). Right from those days, in the Tamil month of Aavani ( Aug – sep ), devotees used to come to this Kottar ( Nagerkoil ) to worship Nagar & Nagarajan. The 60 feet snake inscription in the Thiruchengode hills, Jain temples in Perundurai, Vijayamangalam, Vellode, Thirumoorthimalai, all in Erode district shows the penetration of Jainsm in Kongu area. Even in Kongu area, worship of Nagar is famous even now. People from Kongu area have taken active role in constructing parts of this temple in Nagerkoil.

Tirunelveli Dist. Sivakiri, Sankaran koil, senkottai, Veerakelamputhur, Tenekasi, Ala nkulam, Tirunelveli, Ambasamuthiram, Palyamkottai, Nanguneri and Radhapuram

1. Marukalthalai –Thirunelveli 

South east of Palyamkottai  at a distance of 9 KM Seevalaperi village near Marukalthalai village is situated here.

one of the hills called Pooviludaiyar  hills west side Panchpandavar padukkai a natural caves (cavern) here  for Jain monks  cave beds were donated  in the hills top bold letters 

In 40 cm height a Brahmi inscription  is there.                  Period 2nd centuary.

6.1 Veṇkāsipaṉ koṭu pita kalkañcaṉam

This was first found by Nellai collector  L.A.Cammiade in 1906.

Kanchanam  means in sanscrit a model  type of temple.

2. Mannarkoil-THIRUNELVELI

 Ayyanarkulam village  Ambasamuthiram  -Thirunelveli 

South west of Ambasamuthiram  6 km  in  Ambasamuthiram – Thenkasai road. 

Ayyanrakula Pothikai malai backside  natural hills and there are two small hills call Rajaparai 

and Nilapparai.  Here Tamil Brahmi inscription are there.                          Period 2nd centuary.

Paḷḷi ceyvittāṉ

2. Kaṭikai[kō] viṉ makaṉ

peruṅkūṟṟaṉ

Kuṇāviṉ ḷaṅkō

2. Ceyyita paḷi i

3. Veerasigamani – Sankaranainar koil  North west  15 km 

பஞ்ச பாண்டவர் உருவம் என்று கூறப்படுவன சமணத் திருவுருவங்களாகும் 

In a cave, carved in a circle two feet. Some of the other figures in caves carved out of the rock. The vuruvankalaip defiantly called Pancha Pandava. There is a small temple called kayilaca nathar Temple. Pancha Pandava Jainism tiruvuruvankalakum consider that the alleged figure .. Top. List p 306

Eruvadi Nanguneri Taluk. 

On iop of Rettai poththai param (twin towers)  Jain Tiruthankar  statue  inscription mentioned here as s  Achrya Achanathisculptured  this figure. 603 of 1951. Ep. Rep. 1916 P. 112-113   Another inscription . 605 of 1951 216. Ep. Rep. 1936-37, P. 54 inscription mentioned Pandyan Maran Sadyan 43 aandu Natturu pokkiyai thiruviruthalai Arulantha padaruku Pallichnthamaka Land were donated. 5. Korkai-  pandya’s port. Near Sayapurathin Road side Vathaman Mahvir Statue were found sitting posture  and  another dameged 

6. Tiruthankar statue were found there.   Ep. Rep. 1936-37, P. 5

Uthamapalayam is renowned for base relief sculptures carved on a hillock called Karuppannasamy kundra. This place is about 120 Kilometers far from Madurai in south west direction. This place lies in the vicinity of Theni district. This hillock has 19 beautifully carved Jain Teerthankara images in Kayotsarga and Padmasana posture. 

This marvelous panel is protected by a mandpam built by Archaeological survey of India. These images related to 9th century AD. There are several inscriptions found in Tamil and Vattezutu script above and below the sculptures which mention the Authorship to Ajjanandi and Arishtanemi periyar. Arishtanemi Periyar was Pupil of Ashtopavasigal. These Sculptures has also traces of paintings but these are obliterated.

 

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