Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
Jaina pallis
The epigraphs belonging to different periods furnish valuable data about the existence and active functions of many Jaina pallis all over Tamilnadu, They reveal that Jainism had received all sorts of support from the royal kings and the lay followers. An inscription from Anandamangalam refers to the existence of a palli namely Jinagiripalli during the time of Parantaka Chola in 942 A.D.20 Tirupparuttikunram at JinaKanchi enjoyed the royal support of many Pallava Kings; the Pallankovil Copper plates attests to it.21 An inscription from Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple furnishes an interesting information. This inscription states that the Pallava queen Lokamahadevi was afflicted by a brahmarakshasa (evil spirit) and a Jaina acharya of the Ajivikadarsana attached with the Mahilampalli cured the disease of the Queen.
The kings, queens, chieftains and the mercantile guilds and the agricultural guilds founded many Jaina pallis, which were all named after them. The following pallis existed in Tamil country between 7th and 18th century A.D. Chitramelipperumpalli at Arasankalani, Sirukaranapperumpalli at Sirupakkam near Chengleput.23 Nikarakara Perumpalli at Perunkulam in Srivaikundam taluk.24 Parisva Jinalaya at Sevidapadi in Hosur taluk25; and Perumpalli at Iruppaikkudi in Sattur taluk.26
Kurandi Tirukkattampalli in Aruppukkottai taluk was an important monastery during medieval times. Many Jaina monks attached with this palli visited quite a number of Jaina centers in Tamilnadu and donated a number of gifts to these pallis. Kundavai jinalaya at Tirumalai in Polur Taluk in Thiruvanna malai District and at Dadapuram in Tindivanam taluk, For Private & Personal Use Only
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