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JAINISM IN INDIA
South Arcot. Patalipura in the South Arcot district was another centre of Jaina preceptors. It is believed that there existed the Dravida samgha in this place about the 1st century B.C. According w Perrira Puranam this place was the seat of a large Jaina monastery in the 7th century A.D. The fact that this region was a stronghold of the faith is vouched by the antiquities discovered at Villupuram, Tirunarungondui, Singavaram and other places.
Colavandipuram was another centre of the Jaina faith in the Tirukkovil taluk of the South Arcot district. On a hillock called Andimalai near this village is a number of interesting Jaina sculptures. One of the rocks contains five or six groups of couches cut into it. The rock overhanging this has the figure of Mahavira carved in relict on its brow.
The area of the Ginjee taluk in the South Arcot district was a stronghold of Jainism from olden days; and it is interesting to note that it is so even to this day. The Jainas of the Tamil country are, at present, mainly concentrated in the areas of the North Arcot, South Arcot and Chingleput districts. The headquarters of their chief pontiff is situated at Chittamur in the Ginjee taluk. This mutha is affiliated to the principal Jaina matha at Sravana Belgola. Chittamur possesses two Jaina shrines, the Mallinatha temple and the Parsvanatha temple. Mallinatha temple must have been the earlier and the original Jaina temple.
Puddukottai. Leaving many areas behind, though they are not devoid of notable Jaina vestiges, we go to the picturesque tract of Sittannavasal and Narttamalai roughly representing the Pudukkottai State, This is the land wherein Jainism flourished for over fifteen hurdred years roughly from the 3rd century B.C. upto the 12th century A.D.
Sittannavasal is the name given to a long range of hills, which literally connotes 'the abode of the revered siddhas or Jaina monks'. The word siddha is pronounced as sitta in Tamil and vasal means the dwelling place.' It possesses a natural cavern which contains seventeen beds with pillows cut into the rock. Besides Sittannavasal, natural caverns have been traced in the hills of Tenimalai, Narttamalai and Aluruttimalai.
Next important place of interest in the Sittannavasal range is the Arivar-kovil or 'the temple of Arhat'. This is a cave temple excavated in the rock. The belief prevails that the Pallava king Mahendravarman I was its excavator. One unique aspect of the cave temple is its paint
ings. Originally the temple must have been picturesquely painted all Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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