Jain Journal 1993 10

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

Page 45

A note on some copper icons from
Thirunarungkondai
S. Thanyakumar
Thirunarungkondai is an ancient Jaina centre in Tamilnadu, noted for its temples on a small hill with the same name. There are two ancient temples, dedicated to Bhagavān Candranatha (8th Tirthařkara) and Bhagavan Parsvanatha (23rd Tirthankara), one facing the east, Keezhaipalli and the other facing the west (with entrance on the south) the Maelaipalli. It is about 200 kms. from Madras on the Madras-Trichy road. Bhagavan Parsvanatha is a popular deity in the locality and worshipped as Sri Appandāinātha. The antiquity and the popularity of the temples is borne out by a large number of inscrip. tions and ancient images (both stone and metalic). There are forty three inscriptions ranging from 8th century A.D. to the 20th century A.D.
Śri Appandainathar temple is the only ancient Jain temple in Tamilnadu that is under worship continuously till date. Tamil Jäins perform the ear boring ceremony of their children in this temple, It is also popular among the Hindus of the locality.
The different dynasties and their feudal chiefs have liberally donated lands, goats and gold for the temple. It was also the centre of an ancient Jaina Sangha called Veera Sanga established by Sri Guņabadra. Recently a large hall and a small shrine for the Yakşi Padmavathy have been added to the temple complex, atop the bill on the southern sido.
In the main temple there are seven stone sculptures displayed in the mabāmaņdapa. Of these, 5 are large and represent Rsabha Mallinatha; Mahavira (the lanchapas are not carved, the names are known by tradition), Saastha and Dharmadevi. Of the other two, one is a stela of Sri Parsvanatha in käyotsarga posture and the other a caubisi, with two malapāyakas (ści Parsvanatha and Candraprabha) in kdyotsarga posture and other Jaina in Padmasana posture.
Inside the Parsvanatha shrine there are about thirty metalic icons of various sizes. The present author has selected three icons made