Jain Journal 2001 07

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

Page 25

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXVI, No. 1 July 2001
Uttamapalayam and Vallimālai. In this group, both are seated side by side with some difference in their physical composition. Eruvadi in Tirunelveli district has a rectangular panel containing miniature depictions of Adinatha and Mahāvīra seated side by side in dhyana posture. Iconographically, both are more or less similar except for the stout physique of Mahāvīra. Land grants were made for conducting worship to these images consecrated by the renowned recluse Ajjanandi in the 9th century A.D.9 The low hillock at Melapparaipatti near Koilpatti has also similar icons of Adinatha and Mahāvīra, but are badly damaged owing to weathering of rock.
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The twin rock-cut sculptures from Muttuppatti and Uttamapalayam in Madurai district are, no doubt, masterpieces of the 9th century Pandya art. At Muttuppatti, the two Jinas are sculpted side by side in deeply cut niches, the former being rectangular while the latter with a curvelinear top. Mahavira, in this group, is shown seated in meditative posture with a massive body and horizontal shoulders. Chamaradaris, flaming prabha, and creeper design are similar in both sculptures. The difference between them lies in the sturdy nature of Mahāvira's physique, horizontality of his shoulders, projecting triple umbrella above his head and even the shape of the niche. A definite attempt is. thus, made to differentiate Mahavira from that of Adinatha in sculptural art, consequent to non-adoption of respective cognizances of the Tirthankaras. The above images were commissioned by Maganandi Bhaṭṭārāka for the merit of the inhabitants of Kuyilkudi village. 10
The lower cave at Vallimālai has more or less identical bold reliefs of the two Tirthankaras, exhibiting the Western Ganga style of art. Contrary to the usual pattern, these images do not possess prabhāvali, trichatra and creeper design. A pair of miniature camaradaris, however, flank them at shoulder level. Besides, the whole group is flanked by Matanga yakṣa and Ambika yakṣi. In this composition also Mahavira's physique is sturdier than that of Adinatha. Lithic records attribute these figures to the reign of the Western Ganga king Rājamalla II (877907 A.D.11)
Rock-cut sculptures of Mahāvīra in a group of three Tirthankaras find place at Sittannavasal, Chitaral and Kalugumālai. The celebrated Sittannavasal rock-cut temple contains in its sanctum three seated figures of Tirthankaras, surmounted by triple umbrellas. Although all
ARE, 603-605/1915.
9.
10. Ibid., 62/1910.
11. Ibid., 91/1889.