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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
are referred to as the Melirpalli and Kilappalli (ARE: 306/1939-40and 383/1902).
Tradition lays down that a hunter while digging up of finding edible roots, struck with his axe on the buried image of Parsva. A sudden flash of light that emitted from the image made him lose his eye sight. The hunter lamented for his mistake and prayed to Lord Parasvanatha to restore his eye sight. His sight was restored and he was delighted on finding the image of Parsva. The local tribes constructed a new temple at the top of Tirunarungondai hill and installed the image. The image of Parsva in low relief is assignable to the 9th centu;ry A.D. The nature of fissure on the rock extending over the knee of the image is related to the above legend of hunters striking the ground for edible roots. In all probability the fissure is said to have been caused by a lightening bolt (A.Ekambaranathan:1996).
The Parsvanatha of Tirunarungondai temple is locally known as Appandar which may well represent the traditional association of Appar with Tirunarungondai. The legend connected with Appandainathar needs the attention of the Archaeologists and Historians. Appar, on his expulsion from the Jaina Sangha, became a Saiva follower and swore enemity towards the Jainas. He is alleged to have worked for their destruction and to have converted many Jaina temples into Saiva ones. Tradition avers that he lost his eye sight on his arrival at Tirunarungondai. He was miraculously cured and got restored his eye sight as a sequel to his worship of the Jina. He also got reconverted to Jainism and the Saiva centres were brought back to the fold of Jainism. Incidentally the presiding deity of
Tirunarungondai came to be called Appandar and Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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