Jaina Monuments of Andhra

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

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Jaina Caves
liberal patronage extended by the Rashtrakutas to Jainism.32 There, on the way to the Bara Khila, are noticeable three Tirthankara figures carved in the rock in sitting position. Inside the cave is a Parsvanatha image, in standing posture. Below at his feet, are also depicted Yakshini and Yaksha figures.
Saidapuram
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Siddhulayya-kona in Nellore district is a Rock-shelter.33 It is located about 8 kms., to the north of Saidapuram. It is a Jain Rock-shelter located about 3 kms., further west on Podalakur-Saidapuram road. The rockshelter is enclosed by the hill on three sides whereas on the East it is open (Fig-25). Recently, a brick wall is built and a gate was also fixed to the entrance. There are six Jain sculptures found there.34 Among them, three are installed on the elevated platform inside the cave (Fig26) while the rest are broken and lie in front of the shelter. All around the shelter are few natural springs in the form of water-tanks. They might have provided water throughout the year to the Jain ascetics who stayed in the shelter. Besides the above Jain sculptures, few more Hindu sculptures are also found inside the cave. On stylistic features, the Jain sculptures may be placed in 12th century A.D. Later on, this rock-shelter might have been occupied by the Hindus.
Like their Rashtrakuta overlords, the Vemulavada Chalukyas also encouraged Jainism. In their court flourished famous poets like Pampa, author of Vikramarjuna vijayam, Somadevasuri, author of Yasastilakachampu and Jinavallabha, brother of Pampa. An important Jain establishment in the neighbourhood of Vemulavada, i.e. Kurkyala where stands the hillock called Bommalagutta (Fig-27). It contains a famous Jain inscription which brought to light Jinavallabha, brother of Pampa for the first time (Fig 27A). We are told in the inscription,35 that the Tirthankaras images from the first to the last have been beautifully carved on the boulders of the hill. But we notice only eight Tirthankara images. The Chief of them being Chakresvari, the Sasanadevi of Rishabhanatha (Fig-28). The present Bommalagutta has been referred in the inscription as the Siddhasila (i.e., hill of Siddhas). The hill also contains a few small Jaina caves which do not bear carvings.