Jain Journal 1978 04

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

Page 18

124
JAIN JOURNAL
Mylapore Temple :
From literary and archaeological evidences scholars speak of a temple at Mylapore in Madras city which was dedicated to Lord Neminatha. The Jainas had a strong hold over Mylapore. Saint Sambandar also refers to the presence of Jainas at Mylapore. Many literary works praise Lord Neminatha of Mylapore and some of them are dedicated to Lord Neminath. His name is so closely identified with Mylapore that he was referred as Mylainathara (Lord of Mylapore).
Avirodhalvar, a Jaina poet of 14th Century has composed verses in praise of Mylainathara. This work is called Thirunoortu Anthathi. Another work by Udeechi Thevar Thirukkalambakam also refers him. Gunaviva Pandithar, a Tamil Grammarian, dedicated his work to Lord Neminatha and it is called Neminatham. These show the influence of the Jainas in Mylapore. A commer tator of Nunnool, a Tamil grammar work was also a native of Mylapore and he is called Mylainathar. Udeechi Thevar refers Mylapore as Harikula Nayaganoor (Place of Lord of Harivamsa). There are pathigams that sing the praise of Lord Neminatha of Mylapore. All these literary references establish the influence of the Jainas and the importance of Neminatha temple of Mylapore.
The archaeological findings strengthen the literary evidences. It is believed that the present Santhome, where there is a deaf and dumb school, is the place where the Neminatha temple complex flourished once It was very near to shore. The Jainas of Mylapore fearing sea erosion shifted the idols to the remote villages in South Arcot and North Arcot Districts. The granite idol of 5' height with the artistically carved prabai is still worshipped at Jaina temple in Melsithamoor, the religious headquarters of Tamil Jainas, near Gingee in South Arcot District. Bronze idols of Lord Neminatha (Plate 11) and Kushmandi are presently at Illangadu, a village near Vandavasi in North Arcot District. In the peram of the idol of Lord Neminatha there is an inscription which shows that the idol belonged to Mylapore. (Plate 12) The inscription neads as follows:
thirumailapuri serunthaduom jina sena acharya sri ............name
There was no sea erosion as feared by the Jainas of Mylapore. But Portuguese occupied the temple complex and completely destroyed
1 Belonged to Mylapore.