Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA TEMPLES 25
ardhamandapa was enlarged with a mahamandapa, yakshi shrine and an enclosure wall in later times. The shrine retains the earlier image of Adinatha seated in dhyana posture. Its button-shaped curly hair, receding forehead, half-closed eyes, contemplative calmness of the countenance, decorative probhavali etc; portray the exquisite skill of the 12th century master-craftsman. This image was variously called Adisvara, Kanagamalainathar and Kanagamalai Alvar.
It is at Ponnur, the Yakshi Jvalamalini receives special worship. The nearby Nilagiri hill (Ponnur hill) is believed to be the habitat of Jvalamalini who is said to have conferred grace upon Helacharya, a renowned monk of the Dravidasangha. His foot-prints, carved on stone, are specially worshipped not only by the Digambaras of Tamilnadu but also of others states. In the year 1733 A.D., an agreement was made, by which the Jainas of Ponnur should take the processional images of Parsvanatha and Jvalamalini from the Adinatha temple to Nilagiriparvata at the time of the weekly worship of Helacharya. This practice was given up at a later period.
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Poondi - Ponninatha Temple
The Adinatha temple at Poondi near Arani town was built in the 13th century by a Sambhuvaraya chieftain. It was also known as Viravira Jinalaya and Ponninatha temple. It consists of a shrine, ardhamandapa and mahamandapa, all enclosed by a prakara wall. The sanctum contains the original image of Adinatha consecrated by the Sambhuvaraya chieftain, while the front mandapa has sculptures representing Parsvanatha and Ambika Yakshi of the 16th century A.D.
The 15th and 16th centuries witnessed a phenomenal growth of Jaina temples in the northern