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2. Jaina vestiges in
PUDUKKOTTAI
Jaina vestiges in
PUDUKKOTTAI
by
S. Swaminathan
(sswami99@gmail.com)
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. In this district
is located
the highest number of
centrally protected Jaina relics/monuments
in Tamilnadu.
6. Jaina vestiges in
PUDUKKOTTAI
Of the 42 Jaina monuments
in the state
30 are in Pudukkottai district.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. NARTTAMALAI
Samanar-kudagu,
situated on the Mela-malai of Narttamalai hills,
has a Jaina cave-temple,
converted into a Vishnu shrine later.
10. AMMACHATRAM
Alurutti-malai
A natural cavern,
with stone beds
two Tirthankara
relief sculptures
carved on the faade and
inscriptions
11. AMMACHATRAM
Kudagu-malai,
a natural cavern,
with inscriptions and
broken Jaina idols.
12. 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.
13. BOMMADIMALAI
A mutilated Tirthankara idol
near to the road,
100 meters south of the Bommadimalai and
an inscription on the Bommadimalai rock.
14. MAILAAPATTI
Basement of a
ruined Jaina temple,
A Tirthankara image and
Inscriptions on
Karuppar-malai.
15. LAKSHMANPATTI
Remains of a
ruined Jaina temple and
a Tirthankara image in Kanakampatti.
Probably,
the temple had a prakaram
of laterite stone.
16. 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.
17. 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 andanother on a boulder.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. SADAYAPPARAI
A Tirthankara image,
probablyAdinatha,
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-13thcenturies.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. CHETTIPATTI (SAMANAR KUNDU)
Three partially carved individualsculptures 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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
29. Other places having
Jaina monuments/relics
AccordingtoMailai Seeni Venkatasami,
the following places also have
Jaina monuments/relics
Malayakkovil
Thiruvarangulam
Poovaalai-k-kudi
Thevar-malai
Kunnandar-koil
Viralur
Keezha-th-thaaniyam
30. Existence of such a large number of monuments shows that
Pudukkottai
was one of the most important Jaina centres
in Tamilnadu, in the past.
31. Thank you
32. A presentation by
Sudharsanam
A centre for Arts and culture
2 Palace Nagar
Pudukkottai 622005
Tamilnadu, India.
Tel:+91-4322-230666
www.pudukkottai.org
www.sudharsanam.org
sudharsanam@pudukkottai.org