Jain Journal 1991 10

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

Page 22

OCTOBER, 1991
from the above land like kadamai, antarayam, viniyogam, achchu, kariyaratchi, vettipattam, panchupili etc., were also endowed to Tenkavinattuperumpallialvar, the presiding deity of Sadaiyarmalai.25 It is evident that Sadaiyarparai came to be a Jaina centre probably from the 9th century A.D. and continued to be so till the 13th century A.D., afterwhich its history remains unknown to us. The Jaina establishement was variously called Perunarkilicholaperumpalli and Tenkavinattuperumpalli. Perunarkilli was of the Cola kings of the Sangam age. Perhaps, it was in memory of the Cola king, the palli came to bear his name. The place belonged to the nadu unit of Tenkavinadu, hence also namad after the same
7. Malayakkoil
Malayakkoil is a village 18 kms away from Pudukkottai town in the Tirumayyam tāluk. The small hillock in the village contains two rock-cut temples dedicated to the Saiva faith However, the place seems to have had some connection with Jainism. An inscription, fragmentary in nature, engraved on a boulder to the left of the entrance into the rock-cut temple mentions the name Gunasena who enunciated the art of learning Parivadini, tho seven stringed instrument.26 It is held that Gunasena was a Jaina monk who resorted to a life in isolation at Malayakkoil. This would show, among other things, the keen interest evinced by the Jaina friars in the sacred art of music.
8. Puttambur
Puttambur, situated 12 kms from Pudukkottai, lies on the northeastern side of the road leading to Bhutalur. It had been a centre of various religous sects like Jainism, Saivism and Islam. At the outskirts of the village, a dilapidated brick structure was noticed. On clearing the rubbles, the foundation of a temple and an image of a Tirthankara were brought to light. The Tirthankara sculpture is shown seated in dhyāna posture, measuring 4' in height.28 It exhibits stylistic features of the 12th century A.D. It is said that this image had been worshiped by the Hindus mistaking it for Lord Gaṇeśa. Locally, it was called
25 Ibid., No. 530
26 Ibid., No. 4
105
27 M. S. Venkatasamy, Jainism and Tamil, p. 134
28 A Manual of Pudukkottai State (MPS), Vol. II, pt. 2, p. 993