Studies in South Indian Jainism

Author(s): M S Ramaswami Ayyangar, B Seshagiri Rao
Publisher: M S Ramaswami Ayyangar

Page 94

MODERN PERIOD. was inaugurated and it was at this time that the whole country was studded with temples. It is further curious to note that, in the temples so constructed, a niche was given to each of the saints who in any way contributed to the revival of Saivism. In the great temple at Madura, as many as sixty-three Nāyanārs or Saiva devotees have been given a niche, each of them. One worders if the Saivites had not borrowed this custom from the Jains who worshipped their saints in the way described, long before these Nāyanārs flourished. By far the most important of the Jain influences that led either to the intellectual or moral uplift of the Dravidians was the establishment throughout South India of Matams and Pātasālas to counteract the effects of Jain centres of learning and propaganclism." Such Pūtasālas or theological seminaries are now scattered throughout South India.
Modern Tamil Jains.
A reference may now be made to the present state of South Indian Jains. According to the Census Report there are nearly 28,000 Jains in the Madras Presidency, the districts 'South
p. 23.
1 Tamilian Antiquary, No. 3, masters, or merchants of whom
the writer of this essay was one. * Fergusson, Book V, Indian
Some of the Souare from Jeypoor,
residing in Mint street, are Jains. Architecture.
There are also Jain families in • The following note of Mr. Royapuranı, the Mount, PalaSastram Ayyar, translated by. veram, Madavaram, l'ondicherry Bower, may be read with inter- and Tanjore. They have a est. “There are about 15 fami. temple at Chittamoor, 30 miles lies of Jains in Madras, residing west of Pondicherry, dedicated in Muttialpettah and Peddu- to Singapurinada, They have naikanpettah. They are School- also a Pagoda at Perrul."