Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
canopy above the head and a swastika lanchana marked on the pedestal. At Vilukkam the serpent is descending down up to the ankle of the Tirthankara, which is quite interesting.
SUVIDHINATHA
He is known as Pushpadanta in Tamilnadu.10 Though sculptural images of Pushpadanta dated between 11th and 16th cent.A.D. are available in places like Tingalur(11th cent.), Tirupparuttikunram (13th cent.), Tirupparambur and Torappadi(15th - 16th cent.A.D.), its metal form dated to early period has been not so far reported. However bronze images of modern period are found at Vilukkam, Edanemili and Nelliyankulam.
VAASUPUJYA
At Tirupparuttikunram within the Vardhmana temple complex, a sub-shine dated to 12th cent.A.D., dedicated to him is found. However, no bronzes of Vaasupujya assignable to early period are reported from Tamilnadu so far. Modern bronzes are available at Uppuvelur, Elankadu, Vilukkam and Nelliyankulam, where he is depicted in standing posture with the buffalo emblem carved on their pedestals.
ANANTANATHA
Anantanatha is known as Kalakala for rescuing his devotees from the clutches of Yama(the god of death)." A few bronzes dated to 19th - 20th cent.A.D. portraying Anantanatha have been reported from places like Melattipakkam, Vellimedupettai, Nelliyankulam and Elamangalam. Apart from individual depiction, he is also shown with thirteen other Tirthankaras around him. This type is called as Anantha Tirthankara For Private & Personal Use Only