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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
The main temple here is dedicated to the 22nd Thirthankara Neminatha. A 16' high Sihamaninathar statue is carved on the hill top. In the caves, there are fresco-paintings. The ancient monastery is revived recently with the help of the Sravanabelgola Jaina Matha. The palli monastic tradition had given place to the Bhattarah tradition. Presently the monastery, (matha) is called Arahandagiri Jain Math presided over by Swasthi Sri Dhavalakirti Adigal. He hails from Uppuvelur near Tindivanam, and he had monastic training at Sravana Belgola.
Thirunarungondai
Tirunarungondai, near Ulundurpet is an ancient Jaina centre. It was the birth place of VEERA SANGA. We have epigraphic records from 9th cent. A.D. Preceptor Gunabadra was the driving force of this centre. There are caves and stone beds and two temples referred to as Melai palli and Kilaipalli. The presiding deity Parsvanatha Thirthankara is called Appandainathar. This centre flourished upto 12th cent. A.D. There are inscriptions at Kalugumalai and Thirucharanam that mention names of the monks from this centre.
Presently, this centre continues as an important prathana centre with the ancient Jaina temples on the hill. Recently this Jaina hill was claimed by the local Hindus. With government intervention it was restored to the Jainas. To revive this centre, the Tamil Jains have stared a movement" Narkaatchi" and congregate every year at the centre with religious and literary activities. Literary compositions such as Appandainathar Ula and Tirumetrisai Anthati extol the glory of Appandainatha and praise the religous
activities connected with this place. Jain Education International
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