Jaina Monuments of Andhra

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

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Jaina Monuments of Andhra
Rashtrakuta and the Eastern Chalukya periods, the Jains began to carve Jain images not only in caves but also on boulders.
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Rayadurgam
A Jain vidyalaya is carved on the rockface of a natural cave at Rayadurgam in Anantapur district.20 It is situated at a distance of 95 kms. from Anantapur town. Here we can see the hill-fort, ruins of temples and Jain images etc., on the hill. In the slope of the hill, lie four caves fitted with small stone doors, bearing the carvings of the Siddhas (Fig-12). It is a well-known Jain centre for the Yapaniyas. This is corroborated by an inscription which mentions the names of Chandrabhuti of Mulasangha and Chandrendra of Yapaniya Sangha and also the names of carvers of the sculptures." A unique and also piquant feature here is the depiction of a Vidyalaya in stone (Fig-13). On the boulders, appear the figures of three pupils and one teacher in each row at three different places, (Fig-14). These suggest three separate departments of teaching in that University. Below the Tirthankara images, is a row of seated pupils and teacher (Fig 14A). In other rows can be seen one teacher and one pupil (Fig-15). In another row, there are two teachers for six pupils (Fig-16). Among the pupils, ladies are also found. We know that the Yapaniyas admitted ladies and taught philosophy to them. Further, these teachers have Vidyapithas or bookrests before them and so there is no mistaking of their intent.22 On paleographical as well as architectural features, the whole complex seems to have flourished during the Rashtrakuta period.
Ramatirtham
The Jain establishment at Ramatirtham was most probably established during the Rashtrakuta period. Ramatirtham is situated in Viziayanagaram district and can be reached by bus from Vizianagaram town. In the outskirts of Ramatirtham are two hills called Gurubhaktakonda and Durgamma-konda in which lie two caves or recesses deepened just to accommodate few monks. In the Gurubhakta hill, we find only natural caves capable of sheltering single monk. There is another cave which is popularly known as Durgapancha cave or Durgamma-konda