Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA EPIGRAPHS
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Villupuram district Gangasurapperumpalli and Maisuttapperumpalli at Rajakesaripuram (Tirakkol, Wandavasi taluk) are some of those temples referred to in lithic records.28 It is evident that the village Tirunarunkondai had two Jaina pallis during the time of the Cholas. They were known as Melaipalli and Kilaippalli. Besides these, there were other pallis like Nattarperumpalli at Valaiyur near Tirukkoyilur, Gandaradhitya perumpalli.31 Sundara chola perumpalli, Perunarkilliperumpalli32, Ainnurruvapperumpalli***, Niyayaparipala perumpalli at Singakulam, Chitrlekahip-perumpalli at Avanranio4, Kavirajapperum palli25. Amudamolipperumpalli36. Miladudaiyar Perumpalli at Nagesvaram" etc., in the Chola country.
Nuns and Nunneries
It is also interesting to note that the inscriptions of Tamilnadu give valuable information about Jaina Nuns attached with Jaina pallis and their active participation in religious matters. They are recorded as kurattigal in Tamil. The Neganurpatti inscription reveals the fact that the mother and a daughter from a village Perumpogayi gave shelter to Jaina monks. This inscription belongs to 3rd century A.D38. The famous Vedal inscription of Chola king Aditya dated in 885 A.D. records some dispute between female ascetics and their disciples. It mentions Kanakavirakurattiyar a disciple of Gunakirti bhatara of Vidal alias Madevi-Arandimangalam. This Jaina palli was a nunnery having 500 lady pupils under the above kurattiyar. The local inhabitants amicably settled the dispute.39
Vilapakkam near Arcot also had a nunnery in the 10th century A.D. An inscription of Parantaka Chola
dated in 945 A.D. at Vilappakkam refers to the digging