Jain Journal 1989 07

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

Page 16

JULY, 1989
13
at Kumulur in Eruminadu.27 The villages such as Cirupavil and Kumulur have not been identified. Eruminadu may be identical with Mahishamandala (Mysore region). If the identification is acceptable, it would reveal that some ascetics of the Jaina persuasion migrated to the extreme south from Karnataka to propagate the gospel of the Jina.
Sittanavasal continued to flourish as a stronghold of the Jaina sect from the 7th to the 9th century A.D. A rock cut temple dedicated to three Tirthankaras had been hewn out of the nearby hillock in the 7th century A.D. Subsequently, in the middle of the 9th century A.D., it was renovated and repaired by Ilangautaman, a well known Jaina teacher of Madurai during the reign of the Pandya king Srimara Srivallabha. Exquisite paintings depicting samavasarana, lotus tank, dancers etc., were executed on the ceiling of the mandapa and the corbels of the pillars.28
Jaina ascetics like Sri Pirutivinachan, Tirunilan, Tiruppuranan, Tittaicharanan, Tiruchattan, Sri Purnachandran etc., were associated with this religious institution when Jainism was on its ascendancy at Sittanavasal.29
TRICHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT
16. Pugalur : Pugalur is a small village in Karur taluk where a low hill called Arunattarmalai contains caverns with rock-cut beds and pillow lofts. Engraved on these pillow lofts are Brahmi inscriptions. The first cavern was dedicated to the revered saint Senkasyapan of Yarrur and the beds therein were caused to be cut by the Prince Ilankatunko, the son of Perunkatunkon who was the son of the king Atancellirumporai, on becoming heir apparent.30
It is of great interest to note that the inscription found on the first cave mentions the names of three members of the Trumporai family of the early Cera dynasty, referred to in Patirruppattu (Ten Idylls), one of the Sangam classics. It deserves special mention that though the Irumporai kings were not followers of the Jaina faith, the young prince Ilankatunko when anointed as the yuvarāja, dedicated the palli to the Jaina monk Senkasyapan.
27 T. V. Mahalingam, Op. cit., pp. 245-250. 28 SII, Vol. XIV, No. 45. 29 ARE, 325, 329, 330/1960-61. 30 I. Mahadevan, Op. cit., Pugalur, Nos. 1 and 2.