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118: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
Samanarmalai, near Madurai, sculptures in the rock of Mahāvīra, Supārśva and other Jina, with inscriptions dating from the IXth and Xth centuries,
Siddharmalai, 1 km from Mettupatti, a big ancient Jain cave with beds and inscriptions cut in the rock,
Sittanavasal, Jain cave-temples with exquisite mural paintings dating from the VIIIch century,
Thanjavur (Tanjore) a Digambara community with a temple, in what was the ancient capital of the great Chola dynasty,
Thellar, a Jain temple of the local community,
Thirunarunkondai, in South Arcot district, important ancient Jain centre, two temples on the hill, dating from the Xích century, one dedicated to Pārsva, called "Western Temple", the other to Candraprabha, called "Eastern Temple,"
Tindivanam, a Digambara community with a temple in “drāvida” style,
Tirakkol, 25 kms north of Gingee, a Jain temple with a ravishing pillar in front of it, ruins of a chapel and a Tīrthankara cut in the rock,
Tirumalai, between Arni and Ponnur, said to be the “Shravana Belgola” of Tamil Nadu, a temple dedicated to Mahāvīra erected by the sister of the first Chole king. One can see inside statues of Nemi and of her. On the hill, there are several ancient cave-temples with multicoloured paintings, numerous statues and several interesting inscriptions. There is also a sanctuary dedicated to Pārsva with the footprints of various Acārya. Here, Samantabhadra, Rşabhasena and Varadatta have written numerous literary and religious works in Tamil language. Since 1998, it is the seat of a Bhattāraka again,
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