Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMIL NADU
a shrine and an ardhamandapa. Later in the 13th or 14th century, a mahamandapa was added infront. This addition seems to have been effected after undertaking restoration work in the temple. The principal image of Neminatha, by then partly damaged, was replaced with a new sculpture leaving the original in the ardhamandapa.
A colossal image of Neminatha, popularly known as Sikhamaninatha, measuring 16' in height, was carved on the vertical face of a huge rock at the middle of the hillock in the 12th century A.D. This imposing image is, no doubt, one of the masterpieces of the later Chola art. The Tirumalai temple complex attracted people from far-flung areas and received munificent grants from the royal families and the common man. Particularly, the Sambhuvarayas and Atiyaman of Tagadur made valuable contributions to the temple. Still later, several additions in the form of subshrines and mandapas, besides a temple dedicated to Mahavira, came into being within the Kundavai Jinalaya complex.
Temples of modest proportion came into existence at places like Puduppedu, Salukki, Vidur, Kovilangulam etc. in the 10th & 11th centuries. Most of these temples could not withstand the onslaught of time and they have disappeared leaving behind a few images or at times, some architectural members of the structure. Lithic documents recovered from such ruined sites reveal the glorious past of these Jaina establishments.
Ponnur - Kanagamalai Alvar temple
Ponnur is a reputd Jaina centre, about 10 kms. from Vandavasi, having a 12th century temple of Adinatha erected on a low mount called Kanagagiri.
The original structure with its shrine, antarala and