Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs

Author(s): P B Desai
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur

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JAINISM IN SOUTH INDIA
been discovered rock-out figures of Jaina Tirthakaras in a cavern and an image of Lord Mahāvira, outside.
2) Two small deserted Jaina temples have been found at Jayati. At Māmiḍiväḍa have been noticed two old temples said to have been built by the Jainas. Māchavaram contains two images in a tank to the west of the village. They are recognised as Jaina by the village folk. A Jaina image was found near an old temple at Peddamarru. Another Jaina image was lying half-buried and uncared for in the middle of the village Taṭipāka. The village Nandapuram in the Pottangi Taluk has preserved a small ancient temple containing nude images of the Jaina creed. All these villages are in the Vizagapatam District.
3) A Jaina image in kayōtsarga posture, six feet high and halfburied, was found at Dharmavaram in the Vizagapatam District. It is called Sanyasi Ayya and worshipped by women desirous of progeny. If they are blessed with an offspring, the child is named Sanyasi, if male; and Sanyasi Amma, if female. Jaina images in sitting posture are found at Piṭṭapuram in the Godavari District. These are adored by the villagers as Sanyasi Devulu or 'recluse gods'. Jaina relics such as the images of Tirthakaras, old temples, etc., are found at Ariyavaṭṭam, Neḍulūru, Atreyapuram, Kazulūru, Jallūru, Draksharama and other villages in the Godavari District. Drakshārāma, it may be noted, is a renowned Śaivite
centre.
4) The following villages in the Krishna District are known to possess the Jaina antiquities specified below. On the top of the hill adjoining Mogalrajapuram there exists a sculpture which might be probably Jaina. To the west of the village Gudivada lies a fine Jaina statue in an excellent state of preservation. Jaina remains have been located at Pondugula on the bank of river Krishna and in the Hyderabad area across the river. Tadikonda contains an old deserted temple said to have been built in the days of the Jainas or the Bauddhas. The sculptures deposited in this temple are possibly Jaina. A colossal image said to have been Buddhistic was found neglected and despised in the enclosure of the Ramalingesvara temple at Tenali. Could it be Jaina? Three beautifully carved figures of the Jaina Tirthakaras have been discovered in the courtyard of the present Siva temple at Chebrolu.1
5) A stone statue of a Tirthakara has been noticed on a hill to the west of the town of Atmakuru in the Nellore District. Villages like Yachavaram, Nayakallu, etc., in the Kurnool District are reported to contain Jaina relics.
1 Ep. Ind., Vol. V, p. 143.