Jain Journal 1996 07

SR No.: 520123
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 25

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXI, No. 1. July 1996 Mahabalipuram and Kuranganilmuttam were also dedicated to the gods of the Hindu pantheon. The remaining examples found at Mamandur, Dalavanur, Siyamangalam, Vilappakkam and Trichy are also of Hindu personation, but have Jaina association. These were excavated in the later part of Mahendra's reign. The architectural fineness and the sculptural refinement achieved in the images of these temples (except Mamandur and Vilappakkam) would bear testimony to the late phase of Mahendran style of art. The choice of the location of these temples deserve special mention as they are found in close proximity to Jaina caverns once inhabited by monks of the same order.
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Mamandur is a hamlet in North Arcot district, lying at a distance of about 20 kms from Kanchipuram. The local hill contains a cave shelter which was made suitable for the occupation of Jaina monks at the instance of a chieftain Kaniman in the 3rd-4th centuries A.D.8 The adjoining hillock was selected by king Mahendra for cutting temples dedicated to the Hindu faith.9
Siyamangalam in the same district was also an early important centre of Jainism with natural caverns inhabited by monks. It continued to be a flourishing centre of pilgrimage even in the 9th-10th centuries A.D., and recluses of the Nandisangha had their abode here.10 A little away from these caves is another hillock, part of which was modelled into a beautiful temple of Siva by Mahendravarman."1
Vilappakkam also known as Panchapandavamalai in the Walajapet taluk has a chain of hillocks, the western end of which contains a natural cavern with figures of a yakṣi and a saint. Though these images were carved in 781 A.D., 12 the cavern seems to be a Jaina resort long before. A little away from the cave is an unfinished reck-cut temple of Mahendra style which was abandoned owing to the failure of the pillars, making further work unsafe.13 Subsequently, it came in possession of the Jains who at that time carved a bas relief of a Tirthankara in a shallow niche on the projecting ledge of the rock-cut temple. Thus, the place has a Jaina cavern and a rock-cut edifice of the Mahendra style.
8.
I. Mahadevan. Corpus of Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions, Mamandur - 1 K.R. Srinivasan, Cave Temples of the Pallavas, pp. 54-55
9.
10. Journal of the Epigraphical Society of India, Vol II, pp. 21-23 ARE, 227A&1901.
11. Epigraphia Indica, Vol. VII, No. 441
12. Ibid., Vol. IV. pp136-137
13. K.R. Srinivasan, Op.cit., pp.9697