Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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18 JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
The Cholas who attained political sovereignty in the 9th century also patronised Jainism, although they were ardent followers of Saivism. Epigraphical documents of the Chola kings bear testimony to the ascendency of Jainism and proliferation of its temples till about the 13th century A.D. Although there was a setback once again to Jaina religion in the 15th century, it resuscitated with vigour consequent to the establishment of the Jinakanchi matha at Chittamur. It may be said in this context that independent structural temples dedicated to Tirthankaras were built in different parts of Tamilnadu from about the 6th century down to modern period either with the support of the ruling dynasties or by the Jaina community itself. Architecturally, these Jaina temples do not differ from their brahmanical counterparts except for the sculptural representations that varied according to their affiliation. Brief notices of the historically important Jaina temples in Tamilnau are given hereunder.
Trailokyanatha Temple - Tirupparuttikunram
Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallavas, became a stronghold of Jainism in the medieval period and continued to be so for several centuries. A colony of the Jaina adherents came into existence at the place known as Jinakanchi alias Tirupparuttikunram on the southern bank of river Vegavati and about four kilometers south-west of the present town Kanchipuram.
There are two temples at Tirupparuttikunram, one dedicated to Vardhamana Mahavira (Trailokyanatha), the twentyfourth Tirthankara and the other to Chandraprabha, the eighth Tirthankara. Both the temples date back to the Pallava period, but now they do not exhibit the Pallava style of architecture.