Jainism in Tamilnadu

Thirunarunkondai (திருநறுங்கொண்டை)

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:14:57 +0000

Thirunarankondai is one of the ancient centers of Jainism. A Jain assembly called the ‘Veera Sangam’ flourished here under the leadership of Gunadhara Muni. Over the hillock, is a cave temple of great antiquity with bas-relief sculptures of Lord Parshwanatha (Appandainathar). The temple which is well known through the periods of Chola King Raja Raja I and Kulothunga I11 has a rich collection of bronze images. Chkaravarthi Nainar of Kadripakkam become the hereditary trustee of this temple from 1913 C.E This temple is currently managed by the Mel-Sitthamur math.

The book title “Jainism and Tamil” by Sri. Mayilai Seeni Venkadasamy (சமணமும் தமிழும் – மயிலை, சீனி. வேங்கடசாமி) in the chapter about the Ancient Jain temples of Tamilnadu, carries the following information about this temple:

Source: http://www.tamilvu.org/slet/lB100/lB100pd1.jsp?book_id=216&pno=4

பாவண்டூர்:

திருக்கோயிலூருக்குத் தென்கிழக்கில் 9 மைலில் பண்ருட்டி சாலையில் உள்ளது. இவ்வூரில், பண்டைக்காலத்தில் சமணரும் சமணக் கோயிலும் இருந்திருக்கவேண்டும். இவ்வூரில் இருந்த ரிஷபதேவரின் திருவுருவம் திருநறுங்கொண்டை சமணக் கோயிலில் இருக்கிறது.

திருநறுங்கொண்டை: (திருநறுங்குன்றம் – திருநறுங்குணம்.) திருக்கோயிலூர் தாலுகா. திருக்கோயிலூருக்கு, 12 மைலில் உள்ளது. இவ்வூருக்கு வடக்கே சுமார் 60 அடி உயரம் உள்ள பாறைக்குன்றில் கோயில் இருக்கிறது. மலைக்குச் செல்லப் படிகள் உண்டு. இக்கோயிலில் பார்சுவநாதர் திருவுருவம் இருக்கிறது. பார்சுவநாதர் கோயிலை அப்பாண்டைநாதர் கோயில் என்றும் கூறுவர். நின்ற திருமேனி. இங்குச் சந்திரநாதர் கோயிலும் உள்ளது. இங்குப் பல சாசனங்கள் காணப்படுகின்றன.⁸⁹ குலோத்துங்கச் சோழரது 9 ஆவது ஆண்டில், வீரசேகர் காடவராயர் என்பவர் இங்கிருந்த நாற்பத்தெண்ணாயிரம் பெரும்பள்ளிக்கு வரிப்பணம் தானம் செய்திருக்கிறார். இராசராச தேவரது 13 ஆவது ஆண்டில் இங்கிருந்த மேலைப்பள்ளிக்குப் பணம் தானம் செய்யப்பட்ட செய்தியை இன்னொரு சாசனம் கூறுகிறது. இந்தத் தானத்தை ஆதிபட்டாரகர் புஷ்பசேனர் என்பவரிடம் ஒப்புவிக்கப்பட்டது. அப்பாண்டார்க்கு வைகாசித்திருநாள் சிறப்பு நடைபெற்றதையும், தைமாதத்தில் ஒரு திருவிழா நடைபெறும்படி நிலம் தானம் செய்யப்பட்டதையும், திரிபுவன சக்கரவர்த்தி கோனேரின்மை கொண்டான் காலத்துச் சாசனம் ஒன்று கூறுகின்றது. ‘திருநறுங்கொண்டை பெரியபாழி ஆழ்வார்க்கு நிலம் தானம் செய்யப்பட்ட செய்தி இன்னொரு சாசனம் கூறுகின்றது. இங்கிருந்த கீழைப்பள்ளிக்கு ஸ்ரீதரன் என்பவர் பொன் தானம் செய்ததை இன்னொரு சாசனம் கூறுகின்றது. இக்கோயில் ஸ்தலபுராணம் இவ்வூர்ச் சமணரிடம் உண்டு.⁹⁰

Festivals

7 days brahmotsav
Narkatchi festival one day festival on 31 st jan every year.

Pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55956427@N08/5201381485/in/set-72157625453860400/

News Articles

திருநறுங்குன்றம் கோவில் வளாக சமணப்படுக்கைகள் பாதுகாக்கப்படுமா?

Contact Details

Temple Priests

Mr. Bharatha chkravarthy
Phone: +91 04149 292112
- Mr. Appandairaj
- Cell Phone: +91 99432 40806

Trustees

Mr. Jayachndran
Cell Phone: +91 94865 82058
- Mr. Chakravarthy
- Cell Phone: +91 97908 89092

Address

Thirunarunkondram,

Nannaram post, Ulundurpet Taluk,

Villupuram, Tamilnadu, India 606102.

(250 km kms from Chennai on Chennai-Trichy road)

References

District Gazetteers, South Arcot by Dr.B.S.Baliga, B.A.(Hona) Ph.D (London) –Page 48of 1962.
திருநருங்கொண்டைத் திருத்தல வரலாறு (புலவர் மணி. மு. சண்முகம்பிள்ளை)
அனந்த விஜயர் அருளிய அப்பாண்டைநாதர் உலா ஜைன இளைஞர் மன்றம் – சென்னை 17 வெளியீடு
சமணமும் தமிழும் – மயிலை, சீனி. வேங்கடசாமி

Namo Ayariyanam – I Bow Down To The Acharyas

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:22:27 +0000

Acharyas played a pivotal role in the spread and growth of Jainism and hence the
tribute to them in Jains’ daily prayers – the Navkar mantra(பஞ்ச மந்திரம்)
as in the title of the post.

Originally all the teachings and the knowledge gleaned from
the Thirthankars (including the latest and the 24th – Baghavan Mahavir) were passed
down orally from one genration to another through the acharyas (the disciples of
the Thirthankars) over a period of more than thousand years.

Around 500 BC, after Lord Mahavir’s nirvana, Jain acharyas
realized that it was very inefficient, to rely on the entire Jain literature to
be memorized. In several years, significant knowledge was already lost and the
rest was polluted with modifications and errors.

Thus, they decided to document the Jain literature as known
to them. In this time period two major sects, namely Digambar and Swetambar,
were already in existence. These set of documented religious works form the
basis for our understanding of Jainism today. In this post
we list the first 25 Acharyas and their religious works.

S.No	Period	Name of Acharya		Religious Texts
1	323 BC	Kalyana Muni	கல்யாண் முனி
2	200 BC	Achrya Kunadarar · digambarjainonline · About ponnur hills	ஆசார்யர் குணதரர்	Kazhaya pakudam Pejje deje pakudam
3	100 AD	Acharya Kund Kunda	ஆசார்யர் குந்த குந்தர்	Pravachansar Samaysar Niyamsar Panchastikaya Rayansar Parasanuvekka Asta Pahud
4	200 AD	Yathi Virashabhar	ஆசார்யர் யதி விருஷபர்	Choorani Suthiram Kasay Pahudam Thiloya Pannathy
5	200 AD	Acharya Ucharana	ஆசாரியர் உச்சாரணா	Surani Suthiram
6	500 / 600 AD	Acharya Vappa Deva	ஆசாரியர் வப்ப தேவர்	Shatkanda Agamam Kashaya Pakudam Urai
7	600 AD	Aharaya Vattakar	ஆசார்ய வட்டகேர்	Moolacharathira Trivarnachar
8	100 AD	Acharya Sivaryaryar	அசாரியார் சிவார்யர்	Bhakavathi Arathanai
9	200 AD	Acharya Krithapitcha (Uma Swami / Uma Swathi)	ஆசாரியர் க்ருதபிட்சா	Thathuvartha Soothiram · http://jainworld.com/phil/tattmain1.htm · audio
10	300 AD	Swami Kumarar	ஸ்வாமி குமாரர்	Karthikeyanupprashai
11	120 AD	Swami Samnthabathirar	ஸ்வாமி சமந்தபத்திரர்	Jinasuthisadakam Birugath Suyambhu Sosthiram Devakam Sosthiram Yukthiyanu Sasanam Ratna-Karanda-Shravak-Achar Aptamimamsa
12	600 AD	Achariyar Siddhasenar	ஆச்சாரியர் ஸித்தசேனர்	Kalyanamanthiram Sanmathi Suthiram
13	600 AD	Acharya Pujyapada	ஆசாரியர் பூஜ்யபாதர்	Dasabakthi Janmabhisekam Samathi Thanthiram Ishtopathesam Jainendra Illakanam Sidhipriya Thothiram Thathavarviruthi (Sarvarartha Siddhi)
14	600 AD	Acharya Bhatthra Kesari	ஆசாரியர் பாத்ரகேசரி	Thirilakshna katharthan
15	600 AD	Acharya Joyinthu	ஆசாரியர் ஜோயிந்து	Paramathma Prakasam Yokasaram
16	400 AD	Acharya Vimalasuri	ஆசாரியர் விமலசூரி	Paumasariyam
17	700 AD	Acharya Manathunga	ஆசாரியர் மானதுங்க	Bakthama Stothiram
18	700 AD	Acharya Ravisena	ஆசாரியார் இரவிசேனா	Padmapuranam · More Sanskrit works
19	700 AD	Acharya Jada Simhananthi	ஆசாரியார் ஜடாசிம்மநந்தி	Varanga Sarithram
20	700 AD	Acharya Akalankar	ஆசாரியார் அகளஙகர்	Thrukkam And Devakuru Ilakkiya Sthrreyam Niyaya Sithi Swirthi Thathvartha Varthikam1, 2
21	900 AD	Achrya Veerasena	ஆசாரியார் வீரசேன	Kashaya Pakudam Urai Shatkanda Agam 72000 Seyul Urai Surya-Prajnapti Chandra-Prajnapti Jaya-Dhaval-Tika
22	783 AD	Jinasenar I	ஆசாரியார் முதலாம் ஜினசேனர்	Harivamsa Puranam
23	900 AD	Jinasenar II	ஆசாரியார் இரண்டாம் ஜினசேனர்	Parsuwapudayam Adi-Puranam
24	800 / 900 AD	Achrya Vathba Simman (Odaya Devar)	ஆசாரியார் வாதீபசிம்மன்	Syathvatha Siddhi Katthiya Chinthamani Sathara Soodamani
25	900 AD	Acharya Gundabathra (Thiru narun Kundrathnar)	ஆசாரியார் குணபத்திரர் (திருநறுங்குன்றத்தனார்)	Utthira Puranam Athi Puranam Jinaththa Sarithram Athmanu Sasanam Uttar-Puran

We would like to thank the following websites to which we
have linked above in abundance (and have the original /translated text of these
religious works).

About Shikharji Temple

admin — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:35:32 +0000

Shikharji or Sri Sammeta Sikharji also known as the Parasnath Hills, located near Giridih, in Jharkhand state, India, is a major Jain pilgrimage destination and one of the most sacred places for Jains in the world. According to Jain belief, twenty of the twenty-four Tirthankaras (teachers of the Jains) attained Moksha (Nirvana) from this place.

To know more about Shikharji, click here.

To view the pictures of Shikharji Temples and Deities,

Sithamoor and Tamil Jainism

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:20:21 +0000

Sithamoor or Mel Sithamoor is a village near Thindivanam where Jain monks lived. It is an important and historic place for tamil Jains. Sithamoor boasts of two Jain temples and a Jain Mutt which has traditionally hosted the religious heads of the community and has served as the center of Jain religious activites.

The History of Tamil Jainism in Sithamoor by Dr. A. Ekambranathan (Professor, Archeological department, Madras University) is a must read for anyone who is interested in understanding Sithamoor and its rich Tamil Jain cultural heritage and history.

Historic Tamil Jain Sites

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:14:56 +0000

A large number of stone inscriptions which are 1000s of years old paint a picture of the prevalence of Jainism (Samanam) in Tamilnadu. These are scattered throughout Tamilnadu. This post will talk about such stone inscriptions, sites they are found and related content.

Madurai:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Alagar malai	7	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Caves beds, Statue
Anamalai	9	Tamil Brahmi	1900 – 1800	Beautiful Caves, Statues and Beds
Aritappatti	2	Tamil Vattaezheuthu	1000 – 2000	Caves , Statues and Beds
Karunkaalakudi	3	Tamil Brahmi,Tamil Vattaezheuthu	2000	Caves, Statues and Beds
Chettipudavu	4	Tamil Vattaezheuthu	1100	.
Keelakuilakudi	3	Tamil Brahmi,Kannadam	2000	Ruined Temple(Jinalayam)
Keelavalvu(Panchpandavar malai)	4	Tamil Brahmi	.	.
Kongar puliyankulam	4	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Hills
Kuppalanatham	1	Tamil Brahmi,Tamil Vattaezheuthu	1100	Hills
Mankulam malai	5	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Hills
Mettupatti(Annamalai)	5	Tamil Brahmi	1100	Hills
Pechipallam	6	Tamil Vattaezheuthu	1100	Hills,Caves and Cave Beds
Thiruparankundram	4	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Caves, Beds
Thiruvathvoor	2	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Small Hill, Caves, Beds
Uthamapalayam	9	Tamil Vattaezheuthu	1100	Thirugunagiri Malai
Varichiyur	3	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Caves
Vikramangalam	6	Tamil Brahmi	2000	Hill Caves and Beds

To view the pictures of AanaiMalai Inscriptions and Deities,

To view the pictures of Kongarpuliyankulam Inscriptions and Deities,

To view the pictures of SamanarMalai Inscriptions and Deities,

Related Speeches, News Articles on Jain monuments in Madurai:

A Speech about Jain monuments by Sri.T.S.Sridhar IAS, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Archaeology, Tamilnadu.
A Speech about Jina palli by Kaviko. Abdur Rahman.
Articles about “Jain Vestiges” , “Unexploited Vestiges of Jainism” in The Hindu daily.
An Article about “Jaina treasure trove in Mankulam village” in The Hindu daily.
An Interview with scholar Iravatham Mahadevan about “Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions”

Kanyakumari:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Chitharal hill (Thirucharanamalai)	9	Tamil vattazheutthu, sanskrit	1100- 1000	Jina palli (jain temple)-Ruined stage
Nagarkoil	12	Tamil Sanskrit	493 yrs	Parswanathar Statue in lord Siva temple

To view the pictures of Chitharal Inscriptions and Deities,

Articles on Jain monuments in Kanyakumari:

Thoothukudi:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Kazhukumalai	99	Vattazhutthu	1200 – 1100	Caves,Thirthnkarar statue,Beds
Perungulam	1	Tamil	100 – 900	Caves,Thirthnkarar statue,Beds
Veerasigamani	2	Tamil	1100 – 1000	Caves,Thirthnkarar statue,Beds

To view the pictures of KazhukuMalai Inscriptions and Deities,

Articles on Jain monuments in Thoothukudi:

Stories in Stones

The Jina Images at Kallugumalai

Rock-Cut Jain Sculptures and Inscriptions in Kallugumalai

Sivagangai:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Kunnakudi	2	Tamil Brahmi	1700 – 1600	Caves

Erode:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Arachaloor	3	Tamil Brahmi	1700 – 1600	Caves
Thingaloor	3	Tamil	950 -	Pushpathanthar Jinalayam(Poomendran temple)
Vijayamangalam	8	Tamil Sanskrit	1000 -	Jain temple

Articles on Jain monuments in Erode:

Vandals’ work

Digambar Jain Temple Complex Vijayamangalam

Monumental Neglect

Coimbatore:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Thirumoorthy malai	1	Tamil	250-	Statues

Dindukal:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	Type of Site
Ayyempalayam(Iyar Malai)	14	Tamil Vatteluthu	1300 – 1100	Caves,Thirthnkarar statue
Devathoor	1	Tamil	1000 years	-
Mettupatti(Sithar Malai)	9	Tamil Brahmi	2000 years	-

Articles on Jain monuments in Dindukal:

A 1000 years old,they still charm Visitors

Mettupatti Epigraphy

Kamarajar District:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Erukkan kudi	1	Tamil vattelthu		perumpalli ruined jain temple
Kovilankulam	2	Tamil	800 years	Ampalappaswamy temple (basement only available)
Pallimadam	3	Tamil vattelethu	1200 years	once great jain mon ks lived here

Articles on Jain monuments in Kamarajar District:

An article in The Hindu

Thirunelveli:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Eruvadi	3	Tamil vatzhuethu	799 AD	Caves, beds, caves arts,Aruvalthu pattaraka Jinalayam (now this is not there)
Irattai pottai pari				Anthamil Palkunathu Athi, Idar Theerppan ena Arugan,pugal padukiran Great Ajjananthi Munivar arul palittha place
Kuttralam(pardesipari)	1	Tamil brahmi	1700-	caves
Marukal Talai(pooviludayar malai)	1	Tamil brahmi	2200- 2100	beds
Sikkikulam malai(Bakavathi koil)	2	Tamil	1254-	Niyaparipalap perumpalli (now it is not there)

Chidambaranar:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscription	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Kazhukumalai	99	vattazhutthu	1200 – 1100	caves,Thirthnkarar statue , beds

Dharmapuri:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Adhiyaman kottai	1	Tamil	800 -	ruined jain temple
Dharmapuri	4	Kannadam, Sanskrit	1100- 800	ruined jain temple
Hosur	1	Sanskrit, Tamil	871 -	ruined jain temple
Dhavalam	1	Sanskrit,Kannadam,Telugu	1200-	ruined jain temple

Ramanathapuram:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Anumanthkudi	1	Tamil	1533-	Malavanathar Jinalayam
Ilayankudi	1	Tamil		Forty eight Thousand perumaplli Jinaalyam Bagavathi Nayakkar (inru illai)

Thanjavour:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Avarani	1	Tamil	1193-	Chithirailekap perumpalli(now this is not there)
kokuoor(kooroor)	1	Tamil	1120 -	Kulothunga Chola perumpalli(now this is not there)
Maruthuvakudi	1	Tamil	1194 -	Sivan kovil culvettu – Sethi Kula Manikkaperumpalli Jinalyam Gankarula Sundarapperumpalli Jinalayam Inru illai(Now not exits)
Pallan kovil	1	Sanskrit,Tamil	536 AD	Seppedukal – Thiruparuthikundrathkku Uriya nilangal (Gift Land deed)
Ponvilanthan patti	1	Tamil	1200 -	-
Senthalai	1	Tamil	1000 -	Jianalyam(temple) ruined
Thirunageswaram	1	Tamil	907 -	Miladudaiyar palli(Jinalyam) now not exist

Thiruchirapalli:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Anbil Pillayar koil	1	Tamil	-	Thiruvidaikudiyil – about Amuthamoli perumpalli Jinalyam
Jumbhukeswaram	1	Tamil	1233 -	Amanappalli – about Kaviraja perumpalli
Pukalur	10	Tamil Brahmi	1700 – 1800	Caves, Sirpangal, Beds
Arunattar malai				Seraman’s Arul kodai
Velayuthampalayam				Cave Beds
Sivayam(Kandakppari)	1	Tamil old Letter	-	-
Thrichirapalli near Ujjipillayar kovil	4	Tamil Brahmi,Vattazheluthu,Sanskrit	1700 – 1800	Caves, beds

Articles on Jain monuments in Thiruchirapalli:

Tamil Brahmi Scripts

Chengulpet:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Anathamangalam (Jinagiri palli )	2	Tamil	400 -	Sirppangal
Arasankalani	1	Tamil	400 -	-
Kanchipuram	1	Tamil	1100 -	Kamatchi amman koilil
Karupankundram	1	Tamil Sanskrit	1200 -
Keerappakkam	1	Tamil Sanskrit	1100 -	Desavallapa Jinalayam exited were ruined
Mankadu	1	Tamil	800 -
Pudupattu	1	Tamil	Cholar period
Saravananpedu	1	Tamil	800 -	Ruined Jinalayam
Siruvakkam	1	-	-	Sirukaranapperumpalli Jinalayam
Thiruppandiyur	3	Tamil	1100 -
Thirupparthikundram	18	Tamil Sanskrit	900 -	Pallava, Chola, Vijayanagar king’s Gift is Jinakanchi

Articles on Jain monuments in Chengulpet:

South Indian Inscriptions

North Arcot:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Elankadu	1	Tamil	500 – 400	Neminathar statue This statue was brought from Thirumailai (engraved in the base of this)
Karanthai(Munigiri)	17	Tamil Sanskrit	1154 – 250	Cholar , Vijayanagar dynasty’s gift
Kilsatthamangalam(Perumal Parai)	7	Tamil	1300 – 900	Jina Alayam (Jain Temple)
Kunnathur	1	Tamil	500 -	Jina Alayam (jain Temple)
Mamandoor	1	Tamil Brahmi	1700 1600	Hills
Othalavadi	3	Tamil	729 -	Jina alayam
Panchapandavar Malai(Thiruppan Malai)	2	Tamil	1220-	Malai
Ponnur	4	Tamil	227-	Jina alayam
Puduppadi	1	Tamil	900-	IRAVI KULA Manjckka perumpalli Jinalayam(Not exits now)
Poondi	1	Tamil	700-600	Veera Veera jinalayam
Chkkaramallur	1	Tamil	240 -
Chalukkai	2	Tamil	980 -	Cholar’s Period
Seeyamangalam	2	Sanskrit	1107-	Malai(hill)
Thirakoil	6	Tamil	1000 -	big mount hill
Thirumalai	23	Tamil Sanskrit	1120-1700	Mountain Caves temple, Cave’s art painting
Vallimalai	5	Kannadam, Sanskrit	975-	Mountain caves beds, cave painting’s, carved statues
Vazhuthalankunam	1	Tamil	700-	Mountain caves beds, caves
Vedal	2	Tamil	1115-	Caves almost about 900 jain monks lived here
Velappadi	2	Tamil	700 -	Mountain – ruined jina alayam exits, jain monks foot print exits
Vilappakkam		Tamil	1050-	-

Articles on Jain monuments in North Arcot:

Renovation of Temples

Article in The Hindu

Arungundram

South Arcot:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Agaloor	2	Tamil	1200 -	mountain hill samanar important sthalam
Chola vandipuram	2	Tamil	1000-	Komadar, Padmavathi statues, caves,
Andimalai				cave beds padmavathi now call as Kali
Sithamoor	16	Tamil	888-	sithamoor koil maniya (gift land) nilangal
Dadapuram	1	Tamil	1006-	Kundavai jinalayam (now ruined)
Idayalam sithar parai	3	sanskrit, grantham,Tamil	1900-	caves
Jambai	1	Tamil brahami	1900-	caves
Koilyanoor	1	Tamil	500-	ruined jinalyam (Nainar devar perumanar koil)
Madavilakam(Rettanai)	1	Tamil	1128-
Melkudaloor	5	Tamil	911-	Mountain caves, cave beds
Olagapuram	1	Tamil		Sundara chola perumpalli jinalayam (not exist)
Olakkur	1	Tamil	1200-
Pallichandal	3	Tamil	928-	Naddar perumaplli jina alayam(not exist)
Parayanpattu	1	Tamil,Vattezhthu	1500-1400
Perumandoor	3	Tamil	866-1192
Tindivanam	1	Tamil	900-800	Statue kept in chennai musium (engraved in statue base)
Thirunathar kunru	2	Tamil Brahmi	1500-1400	57 days until fast to death(sallekanai)
Gingee Singavaram				mentioned about fasting of jain monks
Thiru Narun kondai	38	Tamil	1100-	Caves, cave beds,Jinalayam,carved statue 4800 perumpalli exited here. Inscription about perumpalli and jain math are here.
Thirupalla panthal	1	Tamil	1471	Panaipadi, ponparappu Jinalaym(not exist)
Thiruvathigai	1	Tamil	700-	Thiruvathigai jinalayam
Thondur	2	Tamil	1000-
Veedur	2	Tamil	1200-
Velur	1	Tamil
Vilzhukkam	1	Tamil

Articles on Jain monuments in South Arcot:

Mahavira bas-relief tells a story

Article in The Hindu

Early Tamil Epigraphy

Early Jain Vestiges, Tamil Nadu

Thanjavour Maratha Marvals

Epigraphy Compilation

Newfound Jain Sites

Stories in Stones

Pudukootai:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Ammasamuthiram(Alurittimalai)	4	Tamil	1216-1238	Kudakumalai caves, Aluritimalai Thiruppalli malai alwar jinalayam( not exist)
Pommai Malai	1	Tamil	763-
Malaiya koil	1	Tamil	-	Caves temple
Nartha Malai	2	Sanskrit,Krantham,Tamil	900-	Paliyili Eswarar caves temple
Sadaiyappari	1	Tamil	1217-	Mountain
Samanar Thidal(Kayampatti)	1	Tamil		Iynooruvr perumpalli and madam
Sembathoor	1	Tamil	1000-	yadchiyin pedathil ullathu
Chettipatty	1	Tamil	1000-	Samanar kundu big jain temple was there.now ruined
Sithannavasal	13	Tamil	2000-1300	Hills, caves, beds
Theni malai(Thenur malai)	2	Tamil, Sanskrit	1200-	caves, paints, beds

Chennai:

Name of the Village	No. of Stone Inscriptions	Script Type	How old	What is here?
Santhome	1	Tamil	800-700	Neminathar Jain temple was there and few statue
Chennai Museum	4	Tamil, Sanskrit,Kannada		culvert (inscreptions) in the statue of museim

Source of Information:

Jaina Inscriptions in Tamilnadu, Dr. A. Ekambara Nathan, Dr. C.K. Siva Prakasam
கல்வெட்டில் சமணம், Dr. A. Ekambara Nathan
South India History, Prof. Neela Kanta Sastry
தமிழைச் செம்மொழியாய் வளர்த்த திராவிட திகம்பர சமண தமிழ்த்துறவிகளும்,உலகிற்கு அவர்கள் வ்ழங்கிய அருள்நெறியும். Prof Dr. Kanaka Ajithadoss

Jain Cave Temples

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:16:44 +0000

Jain caves and Brahmi inscriptions in Madurai and surrounding areas

Tamil Virtual University an autonomous institution established by the government of Tamilnadu has a wealth of information about Jain cave temples in Tamilnadu. Here is a list of these pages each of which has a short video about each of these sites:

Jain caves in Pudukottai and surrounding areas

Another notable source Professor Subramaniyan Swaminathan talks about the Jain cave temples in Sithannavasal in these pages:

Sittannavasal Paintings (சித்தன்னவாசல் ஓவியம்)

Thirumalai Temple:

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:22:16 +0000

Thirumalai (in Thiruvanamalai District of Tamil Nadu, India) is an ancient Jain heritage site that has cave temples, cave paintings , sculptures and ancient Tamil inscriptions all related to Jainism. Jain monks had inhabited the caves thousands of years ago.

Read a good summary of the history of Thirumalai in tamil.

Here are some pictures of the site, temple, caves, cave paintings and deities:

Contribution Of Jain Authors to Tamil Literature

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:02:18 +0000

ஐம்பெருங்காப்பியம் (Among 5 Great Epic Poems):
- சிந்தாமணி(Sinthaamani)
- சிலப்பதிகாரம் (Silappathikaaram)
  - பாகம் 1 /புகார்க்காண்டம்(Part 1 – Puranakaandam)
  - பாகம் 2 /மதுரைக்காண்டம்(Part 2 – Madhuraikaandam)
  - பாகம் 3 /வஞ்சிக்காண்டம்(Part 3 – Vachikaandam)
- வளையாபதி(Valaiyaapathi)

ஐஞ்சிறுகாப்பியம் (Among the 5 small Epic Poems):
- சூளாமணி(Soolaamani)
- யசோதர காவியம்(Yasothara Kaaviyam)
- உதயண காவியம்(Udhayana Kaaviyam)
- நாககுமார காவியம்(Naakumaara Kaaviyam)
- நீலகேசி (Neelakesi)

இலக்கணம் (Grammatical works):
- யாப்பெருங்கலக் காரிகை அமிதசாகரர் இலக்கணம்(Yaaperungala Kaarigai Amirthasaakar Grammar)
- தொல்காப்பியம் தொல்காப்பியர் இலக்கணம்(Tholkaapiyam – Tholkaapiyar Grammar)
- நேமிநாதம் குணவீர பண்டிதர் இலக்கணம்(Neminaatham Kunaveera Pandithar Grammar)
- சூடாமணி நிகண்டு மண்டல புருடர் இலக்கணம்(Soodamani Nikandu Mandala Purudar Grammar)
- நன்னூல் பவநந்தி முனிவர் இலக்கணம்(Nanool Bavananthi Munivar Grammar)
  - - மற்றொரு பதிப்பு பவநந்தி முனிவர் இலக்கணம்(Another edition of Nanool Bavananthi Munivar Grammar)
- நம்பியக்கபொருள் (Nambiyakkaporul)
- யாப்பருங்கலம் (Yapparungalam)
- அவிநயம் (Avinayam)
- வெண்பா பட்டியல் (Venpapatiyial)
- இந்திரகாளியம் (Indirakaliyam)

பதினென் கீழ்க்கணக்கு (Pathinen Keezhkanakku)
- திருக்குறள்(Thirukkural)
  - ஆங்கில மொழிபெயர்ப்பு ஜி.யூ. போப் மற்றும் பலர்(English Translation of Thirukkural)
- நான்மணிக்கடிகை(Naanmanikadikai)
- திருகடுகம்(Thirukadukam)
- திணைமாலை நூற்றைம்பது(Thinaimaalai Nooraimbathu)
- நாலடியார்(Naaladiyaar)
- ஆசாரக் கோவை(Aasaara Kovai)
- இன்னா நாற்பது(Innaa Naarpathu)
- இனியவை நாற்பது(Iniyavai Naarpathu)
- களவழி நாற்பது(Kalavazhi Naarpathu)
- ஏலாதி(Eelaathi)
- பழமொழி நானூறு(Pazhamozhi Naanooru)

எட்டுத்தொகை (Ettuthogai)
- புறநானூறு(Puranaanooru)
- குறுந்தொகை(Kurunthogai)
- நற்றிணை(Narrinai)
- அறநெறிச்சாரம்(Ara neri chaaram)
- திருநூற்றந்தாதி(Thirunoorru anthaathi)
- கலிங்கத்துப்பரணி(Kalingathu Parani)
- ஆத்திசூடி(Aathichoodi)
- அருங்கலசெப்பு(Arungalaseppu)
- சிறுபஞ்சமூலம்(Sirupanchamoolam)

பிரபந்தங்கள் (Prabanthangal)
- தோத்திரத்திரட்டு(Thothirathirattu)
- திருவெம்பாவை(Thiruvembaavai)

ஜீவபந்து ஸ்ரீபால் நூல்கள் (Books written by Jeevabanthu Sripal)
- தமிழகத்தில் ஜைனம்(Jainism in Tamilnadu)
- ஆதிபகவான் வினோபாஜி(Aadhibagavaan Vinobaaji)
- ஐந்தவித்தான் யார்(Inthavithaan yaar)
- திருவள்ளுவர் வாழ்த்தும் அதிபாகவான்(Thiruvalluvar Vaazththum Aadhibagavaan)
- நிளுடைமை(Neeludaimai)
- இளங்கோவடிகள் சமயம்(Illangovadigal Samayam)
- ஜைனமும் லெனினியும் (Jainism and Lenin)
- நயினார் கோவில்(Nayinaar Kovil)
- சமணர் மலை(Samanar Malai)
- பகுதறிவியகத்தின் பழமை(Pagutharivyathan Pzahimai)
- எம்மான் கோவில்(Emmaan Kovil)
- கோலாப்பூர் (Koolaapur)
- விஜயமங்கலம்(Vijayamangalam)
- பொன்னுலநாதன்(Ponulanaathan)
- நற்காட்சி(Narkaatchi)
- ஜீவகாருண்யம்(Jeevakaaroonyam)
- சட்டம் பேசுகிறது(Sattam Pesukirathu)
- அருகபெருமான் பாடல்கள்(Aruga Peruman Paadalgal)
- மகாவீரர் வரலாறு(Mahaveer’s History)

(Source of information: See post Tamilnadu Chief Minister Dr. M.Karunanidhi on Jainism and Tamil)

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Dr. M.Karunanidhi on Jainism and Tamil

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:05:57 +0000

The honorable chief minister of Tamilnadu Dr. M. Karunanidhi is known for his mastery over the Tamil language and his deep knowledge of Tamil literature. In his foreward to the book “தமிழகத்தில் ஜைனம்” (Jainism in Tamilnadu) he talks about the contribution of Jainism to the Tamil language:

English Translation of the Foreward:

Chief Minister

23-12-1974

The Samanam religion is synonymous with love and compassion. Samanam is also known as Jainism.

Jainism an ancient religion came into existence in India hundreds of years even before the birth of Christ. It was flourishing in Tamilnadu well before Tholkappiyar’s period.

The virtuous Jains have adorned our ‘Tamil mother’ with innumerable jewels of literary works. If you remove these works of Samanars, the world of Tamil literature would wear a deserted look; such is the contribution of Jain poets to the Tamil language*. The ancient kings have also encouraged and supported these noble efforts.

A number of poets who embraced Jainism have lived in Tamilnadu. Jainism was very prevalent in Tamilnadu at some point in time in the past. A number of people voluntarily embraced the Jain religion which had the great principle that “the world was not created by anyone”.

After well researching the history of Jainism’s origin in Tamilnadu, the story of its growth and the state of its existence in the Tamil literature, Jeevabanthu T.S. Sripal has given us the book “Jainism in Tamilnadu”. His research was done in the very best way. One should not think that the author has praised Jainism because he is a Jain himself. That, Jainism is worthy of extol has been clearly communicated by a number of scholars both in India and abroad.

It is commendable that the author throughout the book quotes the views on Jainism of well-known scholars like Nobel prize winner and Indian scientist Dr. Jagadeesh Chandra Bose , German Professor Georg Bühler, Czech scholar Kamil Zvelebil , our own Tamilnadu’s Sir. R. K. Shanmugam, Tamil Thendral Thiru. V.Ka and Thiru. H.A. Krishna pillai. Yet there is one unfulfilled desire in my heart – the book is missing the great ‘Arignyar Anna’s’ favorable comments on Jainism. I hope the author Jeevabanthu Sripal will fulfill this desire in the next edition of this book.

Finally, this book “Jainism in Tamilnadu” is not only an excellent research material, but a rare book worthy of being part of the syllabi of any of Tamilnadu’s fine universities. The authors abilities are worthy of praise and applause.

M. Karunanidhi

Jainism

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:42:18 +0000

Jains believe that every living being has a soul and every soul is potentially divine. They also believe in reincarnation after death. A soul can be reincarnated in any form of life. (A human being can become a worm in the next life for example). Karma is that every being determines its own fate through its thoughts, actions and deeds. Karma also plays a part in which place and form the soul takes after death. Jains also believe in the principle of ‘Live and let live’ – not just for human beings, they believe in equality of all life. I.e. however small / insignificant a being is, it has the same yearning to live as humans do and part of being a Jain is respecting its right to live peacefully.

The ‘potentially’ divine soul becomes divine when it is freed from this cycle of death and rebirth. Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct are the pathway of salvation. To free the soul from the bondage of life and death, the Jain monk follows asceticism and non-possession to the extent that a sect of Jains monks (Digambars) don’t even wear clothes. Obviously the highest form of life namely humans can practice the above and attain salvation.

There are 24 exemplary souls called as Thirthankars that have guided and revived Jainism through the ages. The most recent (24^th)of them, Mahavira is historically dated to be around the 6^th century BC. If you are interested in knowing who the 24 thirthankars are, Wikipedia has a nice table of the 24 Thirthankar.

Click here to know about the Digambar Jain Acharyas.

Click here to know about the Digambar Jain Literature.