The document summarizes Jain vestiges found in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, India that date back to 3rd century BC. It notes that Pudukkottai has the highest number of centrally protected Jain monuments in the state, with 30 of the state's 42 Jain monuments located there. Several specific archaeological sites containing sculptures, inscriptions and ruins of temples and monasteries are described, demonstrating that Pudukkottai was an important Jain center for over 1500 years.

1. Click anywhere to start the presentation

2. Jaina vestiges in PUDUKKOTTAI Jaina vestiges in PUDUKKOTTAI by S. Swaminathan (sswami99@gmail.com)

3. PUDUKKOTTAI, a district of Tamilnadu, has a great Jaina tradition dating back to pre-Christian era. The archaeological evidences show that the Jainism flourished here for more than 1500 years, from 3rd century BC to till about 13th century AD.

4. There are a number of Jaina vestiges found scattered throughout the district like, images, and fragments of images, ruins of temples and monasteries, and inscriptions.

5. In this district is located the highest number of centrally protected Jaina relics/monuments in Tamilnadu.

6. Jaina vestiges in PUDUKKOTTAI Of the 42 Jaina monuments in the state 30 are in Pudukkottai district.

7. SITTANNAVASAL A natural cavern called Ezhadipattam, with 17 stone beds and numerous inscriptions, which includes the famous 3rd century BC Tamil Brahmi inscription, was an abode of Jain ascetics from 3rd century BC for their penances.

8. SITTANNAVASAL The Jaina cave-temple called Arivar-koil with its internationally renowned paintings, the earliest Jain paintings of India, dates back to a period earlier than the 9th century AD.

9. NARTTAMALAI Samanar-kudagu, situated on the Mela-malai of Narttamalai hills, has a Jaina cave-temple, converted into a Vishnu shrine later.

10. AMMACHATRAM Alurutti-malai A natural cavern, with stone beds two Tirthankara relief sculptures carved on the façade and inscriptions

11. AMMACHATRAM Kudagu-malai, a natural cavern, with inscriptions and broken Jaina idols.

12. AMMACHATRAM To the west of the tank PaLLI-k-kuLam, on a 25-ft boulder is A relief sculpture of Tirthankara and two inscriptions. Near the tank can be found a number of broken Jaina idols.

13. BOMMADIMALAI A mutilated Tirthankara idol near to the road, 100 meters south of the Bommadimalai and an inscription on the Bommadimalai rock.

14. MAILAAPATTI Basement of a ruined Jaina temple, A Tirthankara image and Inscriptions on Karuppar-malai.

15. LAKSHMANPATTI Remains of a ruined Jaina temple and a Tirthankara image in Kanakampatti. Probably, the temple had a prakaram of laterite stone.

16. PUTTAMBUR Brick basement of a ruined Jaina temple called Mottai-pillayar-koil. There are a Jaina Tirthankara image and a broken sculpture. The Tirthankara image is about 4 feet in height and sculptured fully in the round.

17. TENIMALAI Andar-madam, a natural cavern on Tenimalai. There is a relief figure of a Tirthankara on a big boulder. There are two important inscriptions – one below the image and another on a boulder.

18. TENIMALAI Three Tirthankaras, seated in padmasana, are canopied by triple umbrellas and flanked by chauri-bearers. According to the inscriptions the first was commissioned by Srivalla-Udaranaseruvotti. Another inscription states an lrukkuvel chieftain gave pallichchandam for the maintenance of the monk, Malayadhvaja, performing penance here. The place was in use till about the ninth century.

19. THEKAATTUR A Jaina Tirthankara image seated on a pedestal. The Tirthankara image is presently worshiped by the local people as ‘SamaNakALi’. ASI has erected a basement for the sculpture and protected it by providing fencing.

20. ANNAVASAL To the west of a tank, there is a Tirthankara image. The image, the head of which is broken, is a seated figure with attendants. There are also ruins of a temple.

21. SADAYAPPARAI A Tirthankara image, probably Adinatha, originally a relief sculpture now exists as a sculpture in the round, and is worshipped by the local people. Known as Perunar-killi-cholaperumapani, was a Jain centre during the 9th-13th centuries.

22. SADAYAPPARAI A large inscription, now mostly defaced, datable to the reign of Sundara Pandya I, informs the existence of a Jain temple, ‘KaLLatru-ppaLLi’ and records pallichhandam to the deity of Perunarkilicolaperumapaili for various offerings by the nattavar of Tenkavinadu.

23. KUDUMIYAMALAI A natural cavern on the western side of the hillock contains polished stone beds. One of the beds contains an inscription in Tamil Brahmi script of 2nd century AD.

24. CHETTIPATTI (SAMANAR KUNDU) A structural temple, dedicated to a Tirthankara, is in ruins. Only the basement foundation remains, with loose sculpture kept at the site. Mahavira is seated on a pedestal. Parshvadeva, with smiling countenance, half-closed elongated eyes, prominent nose and curly hair arranged in small circles, and the five-hooded serpent canopy illustrate exquisite Chola workmanship.

25. CHETTIPATTI (SAMANAR KUNDU) Three partially carved individual sculptures of chauri-bearers, a lion the mount of Ambika yakshi are other noteworthy sculptures. A 10th century inscription identifies Dayapaiar and Vadiraya as two disciples on Matisagaracarya.

26. KANNANGUDI A fine sculpture of Mahavira belongs to this village. The 11th century image is seated on a simhasana in padmasana posture. The semi-circular prabhavali, creeper design and triple umbrella, the contemplative calmness of the face, the half-closed eyes, broad shoulders and the sturdiness of the torso are beautifully depicted in this carved relief.

27. SEMAPATTUR Only a Tirthankara, a yakshi, and a few lion based pillars found near the Palliyurai tank are the relics of the Jain temple of this place. The Tirthankara, shown seated in padmasana, is a small figure, while Ambika yakshi, also shown seated on a pedestal, is larger. A 10th century inscription records that the yakshi sculpture was commissioned by an official of Rajaraja Cola I, Jayankonda Chola Muvendavelan of Kulamangalanadu. Some of the structural elements have been used in the Hindu temples nearby.

28. List of other places having ruins of Jaina temples/monasteries Melur (Thirumayam) Puliyur Nanjur Tiruppur Veerakudi Kannangarakudi Valavampatti Mangathevanpatti Melur(Satyamangalam) Nattampannai Alangudipatti Alathur Annavasal Kaayamppatti Marudur

29. Other places having Jaina monuments/relics According toMailai Seeni Venkatasami, the following places also have Jaina monuments/relics Malayakkovil Thiruvarangulam Poovaalai-k-kudi Thevar-malai Kunnandar-koil Viralur Keezha-th-thaaniyam

30. Existence of such a large number of monuments shows that Pudukkottai was one of the most important Jaina centres in Tamilnadu, in the past.

31. Thank you…

32. A presentation by… Sudharsanam A centre for Arts and culture 2 Palace Nagar Pudukkottai 622005 Tamilnadu, India. Tel:+91-4322-230666 www.pudukkottai.org www.sudharsanam.org sudharsanam@pudukkottai.org