Jain Journal 1969 04

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

Page 48

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JAINA JOURNAL
Samanarkundu or 'the mound of Jaina monks', near this place, excavations have been conducted since 1936. These have revealed the existence of two big structural temples surrounded by compound walls, containing some smaller shrines inside, the plinths of which have stepped approaches similar to those found in the shrines of Ceylon of this period.
Madura Region—Next we come to the region of Madura which comprises roughly the present-day Madura district. This area, apart from other vestiges, is characteristically rich in three kinds of antiquities : (i) natural caverns and hills bearing rock-cut beds and Brahmi inscriptions ; (ii) figures of Jaina deities and preceptors carved on the rock ; and , (iii) early epigraphs in Vatteluttu alphabet and Tamil language by their side.
Inspite of the absence of conspicuous relics which evidently have been submerged or destroyed under the sweeping tide of Brahmanical faith the city of Madura itself appears to have been a flourishing centre of the Jaina faith under the fostering patronage of the early Pandya kings who had this ancient place as their favoured capital. According to the statement of the Tevaram hymns and the Sthala Purana of Madura the city of Madura and the neighbouring hills of Anaimalai, Nagamalai and Pasumalai, etc. were the strongholds of Jainism, being the resorts of Jaina teachers and monks.
At some distance from the city of Madura is the hill called Tiruparankunram which has been noted for its rocky beds and Brahmi inscriptions. On a sloping boulder near the Sarasvati tirtha two square depressions have been incised at inaccessible heights. One of them contains the standing figure of a Jina flanked by two serpents and attendant deities on either side. In the other square is engraved another image of similar nature with the five-hooded serpant and umbrella above and attandant deities. These should be Jinas, Parsvanatha and Suparsvanatha.
Anaimalai hill is about six miles towards the east of Madura. Notwithstanding the ascendency of the advocates of the Brahmanical faith who have subsequently converted this hill into a sacred resort of their deities, this place has still preserved antiquities of the Jaina creed, which are sufficiently conspicuous and attractive. A series of sculptures representing the Jinas and their śasanadevatās are carved on the rock overhanging a natural cave. By the side of these sculptures is engraved a number of inscriptions one of which mentions the name of a teacher named Ajjanandi. It is thus evident that Anaimalai was a favourite resort of the Jaina teachers and devotees in the early ages.