Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

Page 55

54 % JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
etc. Presence of bronze images of Mahavira in all these places, have been documented. These bronze figurines are rigid and display bulging eyes, sharp nose, compressed lips and a prabhavali adorned with triple umbrella over the head. In consonance with the stone sculptures, majority of the bronzes dated to 17th - 18th cent.A.D. contain lion emblem on the pedestals.
NEMINATHA
No reference about Neminatha is available in Jaina literature prior to 10th cent.A.D., though his early sculptural representations are found in places like Sittannavasal, Kazhugumalai, Utthamapalayam etc. Likewise, his bronze representation dated to early period is not available in Tamilnadu. A number of temples dedicated to Neminatha were built in places like Nelliyankulam, Edanemili, Nettapakkam, Chittamur etc. from 16th cent.A.D. onwards. The earliest Neminatha bronze image in Tamilnadu is the 16th cent.A.D. specimen belonging to the Jaina temple at Mylapore, now preserved at Elamkadu near Vandavasi. In this the Tirthankara is in standing posture on a pedestal containing a conch emblem Apart from this other Neminatha bronze images are recent ones.
CHANDRAPRABHA
Chandraprabha was also popularly worshipped in Tamilnadu. Bronze images depicting Chandraprabha are found in places like Chittamur, Tirunarungondai, Nellaiyankulam, Venkunram, Kilsattamangalam, Perumandur, Edanemili, Eyyil etc. Among them, the one noticed at Tirunarungondai, dated to 13th cent.A.D., deserves special mention. It was donated by one Kadava chief, Alappirantan Mohan and was known For Private & Personal Use Only