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JAINA MANUSCRIPTS
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Appandainatha, 'the one who blessed Appar'. Appar's reconversion to Jainism aroused the wrath of Saivites and he is believed to have been thrown into a lime kiln and killed by Sambandar and Sundarar (Ms.19,6). This account is reminiscent of the stories of persecution narrated in Periyapuranam and other works. It has already been pointed out that such an account is no doubt the outcome of sectarian rivalry that gained momentum among the Jaina votaries in later times. Further, Sundarar was not the contemporarian of Appar. Infact, the consensus of most of the scholars is that Appar, initially a Jaina follower, headed the Jain monastery at Patalipura (Cuddalore) under his ascetic name Dharmasena. Only later, he turned to Saivism and strengthened that religion undermining the influence of Jainism. In the process, his monastic experience made him to establish a Saiva monastery (C.K.Sivaprakasam: 1983).
OTHER JAINA CENTRES
The manuscripts of Mackenzie collections refer to a number of important Jaina centres in Tiruvannamalai district which abound in Jaina vestiges. Tirumalai in Polur taluk is one such centre which was originally a palllichandam also known as Vaigavur (ARE : 66/1907). Two Jaina Tirthankaras, namely, Mallinatha and Nemisvara are very much worshipped here. The temple, here, originally known as Kundavai Jinalaya (S.I.I. Vol I, 98) received patronage from Kundavai, the elder sister of Rajaraja I. It is a known centre of Chola art with excellent carvings and paintings. It was already a flourishing centre during the reign of Krishna III, the Rashtrakuta king. The matha herein was affiliated to the institution of Sravana Belagola. A number of palm leaf manuscripts in possession of the Jainas of
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