Jaina vestiges in Pudukkottai (1)

1
Jaina vestiges in PUDUKKOTTAI
Jaina vestiges in PUDUKKOTTAI
by S. Swaminathan (sswami99_at_gmail.com)
2
PUDUKKOTTAI, a district of Tamilnadu, has a
great Jaina tradition dating back to
pre-Christian era. The archaeological evidences
show that the Jainism flourished here for more
than 1500 years, from 3rd century BC to till
about 13th century AD.
3
There are a number of Jaina vestiges found
scattered throughout the district like, images,
and fragments of images, ruins of temples and
monasteries, and inscriptions.
4
In this district is located the highest number
of centrally protected Jaina relics/monuments
in Tamilnadu.
5
Jaina vestiges in PUDUKKOTTAI
Of the 42 Jaina monuments in the state 30 are in
Pudukkottai district.
6
SITTANNAVASAL
A natural cavern called Ezhadipattam, with 17
stone beds and numerous inscriptions, which
includes the famous 3rd century BC Tamil Brahmi
inscription, was an abode of Jain ascetics
from 3rd century BC for their penances.
7
SITTANNAVASAL
The Jaina cave-temple called Arivar-koil with
its internationally renowned paintings, the
earliest Jain paintings of India, dates back
to a period earlier than the 9th century AD.
8
NARTTAMALAI
Samanar-kudagu, situated on the Mela-malai of
Narttamalai hills, has a Jaina cave-temple,
converted into a Vishnu shrine later.
9
AMMACHATRAM
Alurutti-malai A natural cavern, with stone beds
two Tirthankara relief sculptures carved on the
façade and inscriptions
10
AMMACHATRAM
Kudagu-malai, a natural cavern, with
inscriptions and broken Jaina idols.
11
AMMACHATRAM
To the west of the tank PaLLI-k-kuLam, on a 25-ft
boulder is A relief sculpture of Tirthankara
and two inscriptions. Near the tank can be found
a number of broken Jaina idols.
12
BOMMADIMALAI
A mutilated Tirthankara idol near to the road,
100 meters south of the Bommadimalai and an
inscription on the Bommadimalai rock.
13
MAILAAPATTI
Basement of a ruined Jaina temple,
A Tirthankara image and Inscriptions on
Karuppar-malai.
14
LAKSHMANPATTI
Remains of a ruined Jaina temple and a
Tirthankara image in Kanakampatti. Probably,
the temple had a prakaram of laterite stone.
15
PUTTAMBUR
Brick basement of a ruined Jaina temple called
Mottai-pillayar-koil. There are a Jaina
Tirthankara image and a broken sculpture. The
Tirthankara image is about 4 feet in height and
sculptured fully in the round.
16
TENIMALAI
Andar-madam, a natural cavern on
Tenimalai. There is a relief figure of a
Tirthankara on a big boulder.
There are two important inscriptions one
below the image and another on a boulder.
17
TENIMALAI
Three Tirthankaras, seated in padmasana, are
canopied by triple umbrellas and flanked by
chauri-bearers.
According to the inscriptions the first was
commissioned by Srivalla-Udaranaseruvotti.
Another inscription states an lrukkuvel chieftain
gave pallichchandam for the maintenance of the
monk, Malayadhvaja, performing penance here. The
place was in use till about the ninth century.
18
THEKAATTUR
A Jaina Tirthankara image seated on a pedestal.
The Tirthankara image is presently worshiped by
the local people as SamaNakALi. ASI has
erected a basement for the sculpture and
protected it by providing fencing.
19
ANNAVASAL
To the west of a tank, there is a Tirthankara
image. The image, the head of which is broken,
is a seated figure with attendants.
There are also ruins of a temple.
20
SADAYAPPARAI
A Tirthankara image, probably Adinatha,
originally a relief sculpture now exists as a
sculpture in the round, and is worshipped by the
local people.
Known as Perunar-killi-cholaperumapani, was a
Jain centre during the 9th-13th centuries.
21
SADAYAPPARAI
A large inscription, now mostly defaced, datable
to the reign of Sundara Pandya I, informs the
existence of a Jain temple, KaLLatru-ppaLLi
and records pallichhandam to the deity of
Perunarkilicolaperumapaili for various offerings
by the nattavar of Tenkavinadu.
22
KUDUMIYAMALAI
A natural cavern on the western side of the
hillock contains polished stone beds.
One of the beds contains an inscription in Tamil
Brahmi script of 2nd century AD.
23
CHETTIPATTI (SAMANAR KUNDU)
A structural temple, dedicated to a
Tirthankara, is in ruins. Only the basement
foundation remains, with loose sculpture kept
at the site. Mahavira is seated on a pedestal.
Parshvadeva, with smiling countenance,
half-closed elongated eyes, prominent nose
and curly hair arranged in small circles, and
the five-hooded serpent canopy illustrate
exquisite Chola workmanship.
24
CHETTIPATTI (SAMANAR KUNDU)
Three partially carved individual sculptures of
chauri-bearers, a lion the mount of Ambika
yakshi are other noteworthy sculptures. A
10th century inscription identifies Dayapaiar
and Vadiraya as two disciples on
Matisagaracarya.
25
KANNANGUDI
A fine sculpture of Mahavira belongs to this
village. The 11th century image is seated on a
simhasana in padmasana posture. The
semi-circular prabhavali, creeper design and
triple umbrella, the contemplative calmness of
the face, the half-closed eyes, broad shoulders
and the sturdiness of the torso are
beautifully depicted in this carved relief.
26
SEMAPATTUR
Only a Tirthankara, a yakshi, and a few lion
based pillars found near the Palliyurai tank
are the relics of the Jain temple of this
place. The Tirthankara, shown seated in
padmasana, is a small figure, while Ambika
yakshi, also shown seated on a pedestal, is
larger. A 10th century inscription records
that the yakshi sculpture was commissioned by
an official of Rajaraja Cola I, Jayankonda
Chola Muvendavelan of Kulamangalanadu. Some of
the structural elements have been used in the
Hindu temples nearby.
27
List of other places having ruins of Jaina
temples/monasteries

• Melur (Thirumayam)
• Puliyur
• Nanjur
• Tiruppur
• Veerakudi
• Kannangarakudi
• Valavampatti

• Mangathevanpatti
• Melur (Satyamangalam)
• Nattampannai
• Alangudipatti
• Alathur
• Annavasal
• Kaayamppatti
• Marudur

28
Other places having Jaina monuments/relics
According to Mailai Seeni Venkatasami, the
following places also have Jaina monuments/relics

• Malayakkovil
• Thiruvarangulam
• Poovaalai-k-kudi
• Thevar-malai

• Kunnandar-koil
• Viralur
• Keezha-th-thaaniyam

29
Existence of such a large number of monuments
shows that Pudukkottai was one of the most
important Jaina centres in Tamilnadu, in the
past.
30
Thank you
31
A presentation by
Sudharsanam A centre for Arts and culture 2
Palace Nagar Pudukkottai 622005 Tamilnadu,
India. Tel[phone]
www.pudukkottai.org www.sudharsanam.org sudharsana
m_at_pudukkottai.org