Jaina Monuments of Andhra

Author(s): G Jawaharlal
Publisher: Sharada Publishing House Delhi

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Jaina Monuments of Andhra
Konakondla
Next comes in order the cave in the hill of the village, Konakondla situated near Guntakal in Anantapur district. Its importance lies in the fact that it served as the domicile of the famous saint, Kundakundacharya, the most zealous pioneer of the Sarasvati or Vakragacchha, who was also the earliest exponent of Jain faith in Andhra. His life and activities form an important landmark in the history of Jainism, particularly in Andhra. He lived in the first century A.D.16 No Jain antiquities, belonging to Kundakundacharya, were found in Konakondla village. But, there is a wide natural cave situated in front of the Z.P. High School (Fig-6). It is capable of accommodating atleast fifty disciples under its flat and horizontal roof. (Fig-7) The famous Kundakundacharya probably lived in this natural cave, which is devoid of any carvings. The Jain antiquities found on the hillock called "Rasasiddhulagutta" at the end of Konakondla village, may be assigned to the 13th century A.D. (Fig-8). This is the earliest Jain establishment headed by the famous Kundakundacharya in the Rayalasima area in Andhra Pradesh. (Fig. 8-A).
Penicalapadu
The village Penicalapadu in Muddanur mandal of Cuddapah district is a natural rock-shelter. It is 8 kms. away from Muddanur town and connected by bus-route only. Among the rock-shelters, one rockshelter "Sanyasigundu" bears an inscription engraved in early Telugu characters1 of 7th century A.D. It informs that a great teacher, named Vrishabha who was a cloud to the crops, namely the righteous and an unshakable rock to his opponents in discourse, resided there. This cavedwelling can easily accommodated ten devotees in it (Fig-9). Now it is converted into a Hindu temple. Hence, its original form is un-known. However, it can be placed in 7th century A.D., on paleographical grounds. The name of the teacher, Vrishaba and his expertise in discources led the scholars to believe that the cave-temple became the abode of an illustrious Jain teacher, Vrishaba whose name is suggestive of Jain origin.