Jaina Monuments of Andhra

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

Page 57

Jaina Caves
Mylavaram
According to the (Dommara) Nandyal Kaifiyat18 the Jains arrived at Dommara Nandyal which lay very close to Jammalamadugu in Cuddapah district and cleared the thick and inaccessible jungle and made their pallis (i.e., settlements) on the bank of the river Pinakini (i.e. Pennar). Further, it informs that their faith was peculiar and they became masters of arts, sciences, philosophy and literature. As mentioned in the Kaifiyat, innumerable rock-shelters are noticed in the midst of Mylavaram Dam which is very near to Dommara Nandyal. The hill which contains the rock-shelters is popularly known as Nemalla Tippa (The hill of peacocks) (Fig-10). These rock-shelters bear mural paintings in ochre colour (Fig 10A). Among the paintings, Bison and Antelope are clearly identifiable. Further the wheel and svastika figures in red-colour are also noticed. The most interesting find in these shelters is the depiction of a Tirthankara and Sasanadevi in standing pose (Fig11). Two chouris are also carved on the top on either side of the Tirthankara image. The pedestal of the Tirthankara contains a svastika symbol which is the lanchana of Suparasvanatha. It is interesting to note that the rock-paintings of Nemalla tippa, namely Bison, antelope, wheel and svastika though common suit well here, with the lanchanas of the Tirthankaras. For example, Santinatha possessed Antelope or deer as his lanchana, whereas the Bison or buffalo is the lanchana of Vasupujya. Similarly Suparsvanatha's vehicle or lanchana is svastika and the wheel is the lanchana of Jumatinatha. On the basis of the paintings, and Tirthankara image one could easily say that the dwellers of the shelters were Jains. Further, this is fully corroborated by the Kaifiyat. Originally, these rock-shelters were refuges probably of stone age people. Later on, they were appropriated by the Jains who carved Jain images. During the early Rashtrakuta period i.e., 8th-9th century A.D., the Jain settlement of Nemalla Tippa seems to have been shifted to Danavulapadu which became a famous Jain centre hence forward.
Although the native rulers of Andhra are known to have encouraged Hinduism, but the Rashtrakutas and their subordinate chiefs are considered as great votaries of Jainism.19 During the