Thiruparuthikunram Jain Temples- Kanchipuram

Address

Thiruparuthikunram Jain Temples- Thiruparuthikunram, Pillaiyarpalayam Putheri, Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu – 631502

Diety

Lord Mahaveer

Introduction

located in Thiruparuthikunram located at the suburbs of Kanchipuram Town. This is the standing testimony of the glory of Jainism in this area in ancient times. So the area was called as Jinkanchi since the past. This is one among the four of Vidha Sthaanam in those days. The presiding deity is Lord Mahaveer in this Jinalaya. Thiruparuthikunram is located southwest of Kanchipuram. However the temple construction was commenced by the Pallava dynasty but expansions are takes place in subsequent reign of the Chola and the Vijayanagara emperors. All rulers were giving patronage to the Jinalaya. In this Temple complex, there are two Jain temples termed as Trilokyanatha Temple and Chandra Prabha Temple.

Puranic Significance

The main deity of Mahaveerar was made up of bright pink stone. Currently the temple is under the control of Tamilnadu Archeological Department. Earlier this place was the centre of Jainism and Jaina mutt was also present. Now the mutt was moved to Melsithamur near Gingee. Legends attribute its construction to Vamana and Mallisena, two Jain sages who asked their Pallava disciple to do so. Other speaks of King Simhavishnu and his wife giving the land. Going by the inscriptions recorded, the temple had received large grants of land, even whole villages from Parakesarivarman Chola, Kulottunga Chola who conquered Madurai. The settlement is referred to as Jina Kanchi. Sage Pushpasena Vamanarya constructed the gopuram. Pallava kings like Alagiya Pallavan has contributed to the construction of the walls. Vijayanagar Kings like Krishnadevaraya have also bequeathed land and had the paintings repainted in the 16th17th centuries. The temple construction was commenced by the Pallava dynasty but expansions took place in subsequent reign of the Chola and the Vijayanagara emperors. All rulers were giving patronage to the Jinalaya.

Special Features

The Jinalaya complex consists of two sections. One is Thrailokianathar Jinalaya and other is Thirukooda Basdi. Trilokyanatha Temple: The sanctum with Shri Mahaveerar idol and a Ardhamandapam, was built in 556 AD by king of Simhavishnu Pallava. The brick work structure was damaged in due course. Then it was renovated by the king of Kulothunga chola in 10th Century AD. The rear wall of sanctum and vimanam has a fashion of Gajabrushta (back view of an elephant). The old stone idol of Mahaveerar was eroded, so a wooden made statue was established on the plinth. The ardhamandapam and Muhamandapam has rumble stone basement and sand brick superstructure, like the Chola period temple art. Shri Pushpathanthar sanctum and the crown were built same as Gajabrushta model and a separate sanctum and small vimanam also built for Shri Dharmadevi. Both structures are adjusted in the width of ardhamandapam of Shri Mahaveerar. Both the statues of Thirthankars were damaged; wooden made idols of Shri Mahaveera and Shri Pushpathanthar were installed and coated, frequently, with color paints. Thrikooda Basdi: The second Section was built in 12th Century AD and renovated at the end of the same century by the Chola king. It got three sanctums with Shri Padmapraba, Shri Vasupoojyar, Shri Parshwanathar idols on the respective base. All are made in lime mortar. On the rectangular block, the structure of Shri Parshwanathar is adjusted to fit in the middle place, in a standing posture with five headed snake on the backside. It comprises of three sanctum rooms, so it is called as Thrikooda temple. At front an ardhamandapam and Muhamandapam was built in usual manner. In front of the two porches, 60 feet wide common pavilion called as Sangeethamandapam (pavilion for concerts) was built by Shri Irugappa, the minister of Vijayanagara king. It has 24 tall pillars with different designs like square, hexagon, octagon type has carvings at the base and art paintings on the roof slab. After, a Sanctum was built for Shri Rishabanathar; a stone carved idol was established on the plinth. On the Southeast corner a granary was constructed then converted as Kitchen room in due course. Southwest end a shrine for Brahmadevar was built. Then five saint chambers called as Munivasam was constructed for saints Shri Mallisenar, Shri Pushpasenar, Shri Pushpasenawamanar, Shri Chandrakeerthi and Shri Anandhaveeriar. The open corridor was enclosed by raised wall with an entranceway in the east is crowned with three tier tower consists of Thirthankar statues, which was built in the Vijayanagara reign period. Kura, a temple holy tree has been exiting since many centuries. Inside the Munivasam sanctums, Shri Parshwanathar stone carved statue and Shri Rishabanathar statue were embraces on the respective plinth. More alloy made God and demi-god idols are secured tightly in a grilled compartment. The above references of Stone inscriptions were preserved in the temple complex. Now the Jinalaya is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.