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Buddhist, she went to Jain monks at Vengi, the Chera and Kannagi went to Madurai, on their way, they capital; and, learnt about the Jain concepts of morality secured the blessings from Gownthiyadigal , situated (Manimekalai 27:167-201). And, Vengi was also the close to Kaveripoompattinam, on the northern bank city where lived the celebrated Jain monk llango Adigal of the river Kaveri. It is said; Gownthiyadigal was a - the brother of King Cheran Chenguttuvan and the sort of Jain Nunnery. The Jain nuns, it appears, were author of Silappatikaram, which is one of the five Epics variously called as Gownthi; Aariyanganai; Eyakkiyar; of Tamil literature.
or Gurathiyar, the female Guru. It is also said, the Sittanavasal Cave (Sit-tan-na-va-yil) - the abode Sanskrit term 'Guru' and its plural form 'Guruvah' of great saints - is a second-century complex of caves became in Tamil 'kuru' and 'Kuruvar'. Its polite form in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu. It is a rock-cut was Kuruttiyar or Kuruttikal ] monastery that was created by Jain monks. Its name Some scholars believe that Jainism became indicates that it was the abode of the Siddha (the monk dominant in Tamil Nadu in the fifth and sixth century or monks). It is also called Arivar Koil - the temple of CE, during a period known as the Kalabhra the Arihants.
interregnum. And, after the fifth century A.D, Jainism The first century Tamil-Brahmi inscription, found became so very influential and powerful as to even therein, names the place as 'ChiRu-posil'. It records become the state-creed of some of the Pandyan kings. that Chirupochil Ilayar made the Atitnam (Adhittana, It was only when the Bhakthi movement took abode or a dwelling place) for Kavuti Itan who was hold, large numbers of families finally became born at Kumuthur in Eorumi-nadu.
Vaishnavas or Shaivas. Those that continued to (A fairly large number of stone-inscriptions, etched adhere to Jainism were reduced into small and a in Tamil-Brahmi, are found in several caves in Tamil minor community of Jain laymen - SamaGar, Nayilar Nadu. And, most of such inscriptions are around (around 0.13% of the population of Tamil Nadu. ] Madurai, the capital of the Pandyas. The noted However, Jainism began to decline around the 8th scholars like Iravatham Mahadevan and Ramachandran century A.D., with many Tamil kings embracing Hindu Nagaswamy, have made extensive studies of the early religions, especially Shaivism. inscriptions. It is explained; the script of the inscriptions Thus, during the middle half of the seventh and are named as 'Tamil-Brahmi, because it is, basically, the beginning of the eighth centuries A.D., the Jains Brahmi, but with slight modification to facilitate sustained a series of reverses both in the Pallava and insertion of Tamil terms. For instance; in these the Pandya country. The Chola kings did not encourage inscriptions, the Prakrit term 'Gani' (leader of a Gana during this period the Jain religion, as they were , a group) becomes "Kani'; 'Acharya' becomes devoted to the worship of Shiva Acirikar'; names like 'Nanti' become 'Nattai or Nattu'; In any case, there is evidence to indicate that sacred images Prathima (Pratima) becomes Jainism came into existence in Tamil Nadu, at least, 'tirumenai'; and, Sranana' (a Jain monk) becomes by about fourth century BC. Thereafter it took roots 'Amanan'.]
in Tamil Nadu and flourished till about sixteenth The Sittannavasal cave temple belonged to a century when it went into decline, due a combination period when Jainism flourished in Southern India. of reasons. It is estimated there are now about 50,000 And, it served as a shelter for Jain monks till about Tamil - Jains or Samanar who have a legacy that is 8th century when Jainism began to fade away in the more than 2,000 years old, and that most of them are Tamil region.
engaged in farming in the North Arcot (ThondaiSittannavasal has the distinction of being the only mandalam) region. monument where one can find, in one place, Tamil As regards Kanchipuram, the capital city of the inscriptions dating back from 1st century BC to the Pallavas and a renowned centre of learning, the 10th century AD. It is virtually a stone library in Jainism flourished there because of the recognition, time Sittanavasal is also renowned for remnants of acceptance and encouragement it gained from the its rare Jaina mural paintings.
ruling class, as also from common people. It is said; It appears there were Jain Nunneries too. the Pallava King Mahendra-varman I (600-630 CE), Silappatikaram (10:34-45) mentions that when Kovalan in the early part of his life, caused the construction of (જુલાઈ - ૨૦૧૮ UGOO.
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