Jain Journal 1968 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 52

VIJAYAMANGALAM TEMPLE
V. G. NAIR
Tamilnad is noted for the several Jaina monuments--temples, caves and inscriptions--scattered in different parts of the country. These monuments which are of great religious and cultural importance will prove exceedingly educative to tourists and pilgrims interested in understanding the past history and traditions of Jainism in South India.
Among these monuments is the Vijayamangalam temple near Erode situated at Mettuputhur, a flourishing village three miles away from the Vijayamangalam railway station and lies about forty-two miles north-east of Coimbatore on the highway to Madras.
According to epigraphical and literary evidence, the history of Vijayamangalam temple dates back to 10th century A.D. During the reign of the Canarese-speaking Ganga kings of Talakkad who originally hailed from Mysore the temple came into existence. The Jaina priests for conducting the pūjā ceremonies came from Wynad and Mysore which were noted centres of Jainism in those days.
A tenth century inscription found on a pillar of the Candraprabha temple states that Pullappai, the sister of Camundaraya (the builder of the Gomatesvara image at Sravana Belgola in Mysore) committed samlekhanā—fasting to death for liberation--at this temple. It goes to prove the antiquity and relation of the temple with the Ganga kings of Mysore.
T.
In the view of scholars, Kongunadu, modern Coimbatore district, is the birth place of several renowned poets and saints including Kongu Velir, author of Perumkathai, Karmekha Pulavar, author of Kongu Mandala Sathakam, Atiyarkunallar, the commentator of Silappadikaram, Bhavanandi Munivar, author of Nannool, Villiputhar, author of Mahābhāratam and Gunavira Mamunivar. Literary evidence and tradition shows that these poets and saints were Jainas and they have sanctified the Vijayamangalam temple and Kongunadu with their footprints serving the cause of Tamil literature and culture.
Karmekha Pulavar was a Canarese-speaking Jaina priest who came to Vijayamangalam from Mysore. His Tamil work on Kongunadu is