Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

Page 59

58 JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
MALLINATHA
Temples in honour of Mallinatha, dated to 16th 17th cent.A.D. are available in places like Mannargudi, Perumugai, Kunampadi and Manjappattu. The temple at Mannargudi contains a 16th cent.A.D bronze image of Mallinatha wherein; he is shown in kayotsarga pose with a well proportioned body and a triangular mark on the chest. No lanchana is found on the pedestal.
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Apart from these, there are other Tirthankaras such as Ajitanatha, Sambhavanatha, Abhinandana, Sumathinatha, Sitalanatha, Munisvrata, Vimalanatha, Aranatha and Naminatha, who do not occupy the position of principal deity in any Jaina temple in Tamilnadu. Rarely they are found in the modern temples made either of stucco or bronze.
Besides, all the 24 Tirthankaras are also worshipped in one group. This form is called as Chaturvimsatimurti. Normally in this group one Tirthankara, be it Mahavira, Adinatha or Parsvanatha, occupies the central position and others are shown around. Modern figures of Chaturvimsati Tirthankaras are found in places like Perumandur, Nangavaram, Tirunarungondai, Vidur, Vilukkum, Chittamur etc.
BAHUBALI
Though he is not a Tirthankara, being the son of Rishbhanatha, he is given importance in the religious worship of Digambaras. It is said 13 that, Bahubali was
the first individual to attain siddhahood in the current epoch. In Tamilnadu, sculptural image of Bahubali is available until 15th cent.A.D. Thereafter, metal cast images were added more in number, in all the prominent temples. In all these specimens, his body is very rigid, angular, with bulging eyes and sharp nose, creepers entwining both the legs and arms and snakes