Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA BRONZES
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representation of Parsvanatha Tirthankara cast in metal. The specimen is slender and in standing position with a slender body, an oval face, bulging eyes, flat nose, rigid legs etc. A serpent canopy is shown above the head in a peculiar fashion. The body of the snake is shown down like a cord. Unusually, the figure of Parsva is provided with loin cloth to cover nudity, which is not to be found in Digambara images. Apart from this we do not find any metal cast of this Tirthankara until 16th cent.A.D. when a metal image of Parsvanatha was found at Tirunarungondai. This specimen portrays Parsvanatha in kayotsarga pose. His left arm is broken and his original canopy is replaced with a nine-hooded snake in later period. From the 18th cent.A.D. onwards, a snake is depicted as a lanchana on the pedestal; some times the number of serpent heads of the canopy is increased to seven or nine;' in some cases Dharanendra and Padmavati are shown on the pedestals.
MAHAVIRA
A beautiful bronze image of Mahavira in ardhaparyankasana from Salukki is one of the early specimens available in Tamilnadu. Another majestic image of Mahavira in kayotsarga posture is found at Singanikuppam in Tindivanam taluk. Both are assignable to 13th cent.A.D. and under display in the Govt. Museum, Chennai. Of these, the latter specimen deserves special mention for its slender body and charming face. However, the right hand is partly damaged. After the establishment of Jinakanchi Matha at Chittamur around the 15th or 16th cent.A.D. there was a rapid surge in the construction of structural edifices dedicated to Mahavira in places like Tirumalai,
Tayanur, Tellaru, Tondur, Venpakkam, Kilvilvanam