Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
at Kazhugumalai, dated to 9th cent.A.D. seems to be the earliest stone specimen in Tamilnadu. The metal form of this yaksha is found since the 13th cent.A.D. The image at Tirunarungondai dated to 13th cent.A.D. is the earliest bronze icon of this yaksha. It is with four arms and standing beautifully in dhvibhanga posture. The upper arms carry ankusa and pasa and the lower arms in kataka and varada mudras. A dharmachakra in prayoga form is found over his karanda makuta. Skandamala, keyuras, haras and other ornaments are noticed on the specimen. On the basis of the stylistic features it is dated to 13th cent.A.D. In the same temple, yet another bronze dated to 16th cent.A.D. is found. It is more ornamental, having a dharmachakra on the crown, holding pasa and ankusa in the upper hands whereas the lower hands are in abaya and varada. More bronzes portraying Sarvahna, dated to 19th - 20th cent.A.D. are available in almost all Jaina temples. They are in standing posture without any flexion on the body. Of the four arms, upper arms are holding pasa and ankusa, the lower arms are in abaya and varada. A dharmachakra is found on the makuta in discular a form, instead of prayoga form. The charm and exquisite beauty noted in the bronzes of 13th cent.A.D. are totally absent in the specimens of later period. The slender limbs have become very rigid and more importance is given to decoration. The face turns almost to square in shape. In most of the cases elephant is engraved as emblem on the pedestal. It is pertinent to mention here that in all the festivals of the Digambara temples in Tamilnadu, the processional image of Tirthankara is led by Sarvahna.
Apart from Dharanendra and Sarvahna other yakshas are rarely represented in Tamilnadu. One such