Kattumalaiyanur Sri Mahaveerar Jain Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Kattumalaiyanur Sri Mahaveerar Jain Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai Taluk,

Thiruvannamalai District,

 Tamil Nadu 606755

Moolavar

Sri Mahaveerar

Introduction

Location:

• Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple is located in Kattumalaiyanur Village, within Thiruvannamalai Taluk of Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.
• The temple is believed to have been constructed over 1000 years ago and houses an ancient statue of Mahaveer Jain, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

Puranic Significance:

• Kattumalaiyanur is a small hamlet located about 17 km from Thiruvannamalai on the Vettavalam road. Despite the small Jain community in the region, they have built a beautiful Jinalaya (Jain temple) dedicated to Shri Mahaveer Jinar.
• Ancient Jain Idol: The main idol worshipped in this temple is a thousand-year-old statue of Shri Mahaveer, believed to have been brought from the nearby riverbed. The Jinar sculpture was originally mutilated but was carefully restored and installed in the temple.
• Temple Structure:
  • The temple has an east-facing entrance and is surrounded by a compound wall.
  • A small Kudakarai (small structure) with an iron grill gate and an altar is visible as one enters the temple.
  • The temple’s sanctum houses a stone plate of Shri Mahaveer, with recent carvings and a tri-umbrella canopy.
  • The base of the statue is decorated with a lion with a thick mane, symbolizing strength, which serves as the lanchan (emblem).
  • Above the sanctum is a simple Vimanam (roof structure) crowned with a Kalasha.
  • The temple is surrounded by an open corridor and features four smaller Jinar images in sitting posture along the temple’s exterior.
• Shri Parshwanathar Idol: At the top of the temple, in a gallery, is an idol of Shri Parshwanathar, another important Tirthankara of Jainism, accompanied by two lion sculptures at the corners of the temple.

Festivals and Rituals:

• Fasting and Religious Observances:
  • Devotees at the Sri Mahaveer Jain Temple observe fasting and perform other religious practices on auspicious days such as the Full Moon and Chaturdashi (14th day of the fortnight), and Ashtami (8th day of the fortnight).
  • On these days, devout Jain women recite the name of a Tirthankara five times before consuming any food.
  • Some devotees take long-term vows, abstaining from food except during certain hours, such as eating only after sunrise and before sunset.
• Udhyapana Festivals:
  • After the completion of vows, the devotees celebrate Udhyapana, a special prayer service marking the end of their vows. During these festivals, religious books and memorabilia are distributed among the community.
  • These practices are carried out to purify the body and mind, seeking blessings from the Tirthankaras and maintaining devotion to the Jain faith.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/03/sri-mahaveerar-jain-temple.html

Century/Period

1000 years Old

Nearest Bus Station

Kattumalaiyanur

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvannamalai Station

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

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