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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
either being the settlement, temple centre, monastic centre or known for myths and legends.
CHITTAMUR
Chittamur, 12kms. east of Gingee in Viluppuram district, was an important Jaina centre (Ms 11, Sec 6; 12 sec 3, 7 and 12). The Jaina monuments and monastic tradition of this centre are of greater interest to any student of Jainology. The manuscripts refer to the matha and its Pontiff, its influence in the region and its services to the people. Being one of the well preserved Jaina centres, the temple and matha there are historically significant. The Malainatha temple accommodating a boulder containing images of Tirthankaras, was known by names Kattampalli and Tiruvurampalli ( ARE: 201, 202 /1984) (S.I.I., Vol. VII, 829) and the Parsvanatha temple was called Singapurinatha temple. Both the temples flourished during the Chola and Vijayanagar times. Artistic traditions of the place is revealed by the excellent stone sculptures and metal images of Jaina deities. The stone chariot, at this place, betrays Vijayanagar workmanship.
The monastic tradition of Chittamur built since the closing years of the 15th century was sequel to the activities of the Pontiff Virasenacharya. Originally, a native of Uppuvelur, near Tindivanam, Virasenacharya had the opportunity to reorganise the community at Chittamur after the decline of the original Jina Kanchi matha at Tirupparuttikunram (western part of Kanchipuram). Since then it has been the headquarters of the Digambara sect in Tamil Nadu. Virasenacharya's community works were painted in the Jaina temple at Perumandur near Tindivanam. Many of the paintings, assignable to the 18th century, For Private & Personal Use Only
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