Jain Journal 1994 04

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

Page 14

APRIL, 1994
K. R. Srinivasan rightly points out that "the conversion (of this temple) was probably the result of the apostasy of Kunpaṇḍya from Jainism to Saivism under the influence of the Saiva Saint Sambandar.21",
The Jaina rock-cut temple at Chokkampatti, not far off from Malaiyaḍikkurichchi, is left unfinished due to reasons not definitely known to us. However, it is presumed that its work would have been abandoned in the 7th century A.D, due to religious antagonism and hence remains partially finished.22
b) Chitaral Cave Temple !
Chitaral, otherwise known as Tiruchcharaṇattumalai in Kanyakumari district, was an ancient Jaina centre having a natural cavern with two rows of sculptures carved on its overhanging rock. The first row consists of twelve miniature figures of Tirthankaras while the second row has images of Adinatha, Parsvanatha, Ambika and Mahavira, interspersed by some low reliefs of Tirthankaras. Moreover, the interior of the natural cave had been converted into shrine chambers accommodating images of Padmavathi, Parsvanatha and Mahavira. Jaina nuns like Muttuvālakuratti and Guṇantangi endowed the Yakshi with gold ornaments and other gifts in the 9th century A.D.23 The same goddess was provided with a plaster coating and came to be worshipped as Bhagavati in the 13th century. A.D.24 Since then, her shrine continues to be a place of Hindu worship, but the other Jaina images have not been altered so far.
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c) Nāgarāja Temple :
Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district was also a sacred centre of the Jains from about the 8th to the 16th century AD. The Nagaraja temple of this place was once a Jaina shrine as is evidenced by sculptures and epigraphs. The mandapa in front of the central shrine has basreliefs depicting Parsvanatha, Mahavira and Padmavathi. Besides, the two huge sculptures of five hooded serpents having miniature standing figures on their coils, now flanking the main entrance, are believed to be representations of Dharanendre and Padmavathi. The administration of the temple was vested with two
21 A. Ghosh (ed). Jaina art and architecture, Vol. II, p. 208
22 Ibid., p. 208
23 Travancore Archaeological series (TAS), Vol. I, p. 195, Vol. IV, No. 40. 24 Ibid, Vol. I, p. 194