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JAINISM IN INDIA
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The range of hills known as Alagarmalai is about 12 miles towards the north-west of Madura. It has a huge cavern containing rocky beds and Brahmi inscriptions on the pillow side of the bed. On the same rock of the cavern and at about the same height of the writing in Brahmi is carved the figure of a Jaina ascetic in the siddhāsana posture. The inscription speaks of the image as the work of Ajjanandi. Probably it represents the preceptor of Ajjanandi. Ajjanandi was a renowned teacher.
At Uttamapalaiyam in the Periyakulam taluk the images of Jinas are carved on the boulder known as Karuppannasami rock.
Near Muttupatti in the Nilakkottai taluk is a huge overhanging boulder that has sheltered the rocky beds. Close to these is carved the sculpture of a Jina seated on a pedestal flanked by rampant lions and attendant dieties on both sides. The image evidently represents Mahavira.
Another detached boulder in this natural cavern bears the figures of two Jinas carved on the rock.
The insignificant village named Kongar Puliyaangulam in the Tirumangalam taluk has preserved some rock-cut beds and Jaina sculptures.
Near Kilakkudi, a village in Madura taluk, stretches a hill range called Ummanamalai. In this range is situated a cavern popularly known as Settipodavu. The cavern and the surrounding spots contain notable vestiges of the Jaina creed.
Climbing further up from Settipodavu we reach the top of the hill wherein there is a spot known as Pechchi Pallam. Here are imposing sculptures of the Jinas all facing east.
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Near Kuppalanattam in the Tirumangalam taluk is the hill called Poygaimalai. It possesses a natural cavern, and on one of its walls is carved a series of Jaina figures which represent several Tirthankaras.
A hill called Panchapandavamalai is situated about a mile from the village Kilalavu in the Melur Taluk. A boulder near this spot has preserved the figures of six Jinas with their familiar accompaniments.
A perusal of the inscriptions discovered in the region of Madura shows that there flourished in this area a renowned monastery known as Kurandi Tirukkattamballi and more than one generation of reputed teachers. Astopavasi and his pupil Aristanemi, figuring in the record from Uttamapalaiyan, seem to have belonged to this monastery. This Astopavasi may be identified with another of the same name who figures with two successive generations of pupils in the record from
Muttupatti. Maghanandi was another disciple of this Astopavasi. Jain Education Tifternational For Private & Personal use only
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