Jinamanjari 1998 04 No 17

SR No.: 524017
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 96
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, Canada_Jinamanjari, & Canada
File Size: 6 MB

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deciphered. The fourth inscription is in a much better condition, and it has been assigned to the First or Second C.E. Its importance is that it reveals the existence of a cordial relations between the Jaina adherents of lilam (the island of Srilanka) and Tamilnadu during early C. E. It states that Polalaiyan of Erukkattur, a śravaka from Srilanka (Ilakkudumbikan), was instrumental in creating rock berths in the cavern. It also reveals three names - Ay, Cayan and Naducatan, who were probably stone masons."
VARICCIYUR village and hamlet of Kunnattur are both located a short distance east of Vilattur, a town eight miles east of Madurai. A large geologic formation near these villages has a spacious cavern in the easternmost part. It contains a number of ill preserved stone berths. The overhanging boulder which forms the roof is 30 ft. in height and has two inscriptions. Although obliterated, it does appear that they refer to the cutting of stone berths." ALAGARMALAI is a range of hills in the village of the same name situated at about twelve miles northwest of Madurai. It contains a huge cavern with beds. The way to the cave is along a precipitous rock ledge and a narrow set of steps with holes by the side suggest that there might have been wooden hand-rail.
The cave is voluminous - 50 yards wide along eastwest axis and contains an excellent spring in the corner. There are berths of varied size, some being single and some are configured. The largest size is 8.7 ft by 3.1 ft, and the smallest is 6.4 ft by 2.3 ft. The rock pits found in the cave are believed to have been used by resident mendicants for pounding medicinal herb.
There are eight inscriptions - one being in the pillow-loft of the smaller berths, and the rest are located in the lower surface of the overhanging rock, which has a chiseled channel to drain water from the roof to the outer walls of the cave. The inscriptions detail the chronology of berths and their patrons: Kaninakan and Kaninantan, the sons of Ravi; Atan, a gold merchant of Madurai; Viyakankantikan, a salt merchant; Nedumallan, a sugar merchant; Elacantan, an iron monger; Elavan Atan, a cloth merchant from Vanpalli; Kalumaran and
Tiyacantan. A nun, Sapamita and a monk, Kasyappan have a place of honour." Situated just below the cave is a massive bouider with an image of seated Tirthaņkara and an inscription of Ninth Century. It