Mel Sithamur Jain Math

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Jina Kanchi Jain Math
ஜின காஞ்சி சமண மடம்
Mel Sithamur Jain Math, Tamil Nadu.JPG
Main temple at the Jina Kanchi Jain Math
Religion
Affiliation Jainism
Sect Digambar
Deity Parshvanatha, Malinatha
Festivals Mahavir Jayanti
Bhattaraka Swasti Shri Laxmisena Swami
Location
Location Gingee, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu
Mel Sithamur Jain Math
Geographic coordinates 12°16′11″N79°30′51″E / 12.26972°N 79.51417°E / 12.26972; 79.51417
Website
jinakanchi.com

Jina Kanchi Jain Math, Melsithamur, is a Jain Matha that is located near Gingee, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Contents

It is the primary religious center of the Tamil Jain community. [1] It is headed by the primary religious head of this community, Bhattaraka Laxmisena Swami. [2]

History

The Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram areas have been an important centre of Jainism since ancient times. [3] Historically, there was a Jain Math at Kanchipuram but it was shifted to its current location here. [4] Venkatappa Nayak (1570-1600) is said to have given permission during his reign to build this Sittamur Jain Temple. [5] Later, in 1860 CE, a Jain official in the Madras Provincial Services, Sri Baliah, dismantled several stone-pieces including the great stone elephants from the Gingee Venkataramana Temple, to make edifices in the Sittamur Jain temple. [5] Among them the great stone elephants placed at the foot of the Termutti (car-stand), are noteworthy. [5]

Overview

There are two temples and one of them is dedicated to Parshvanatha. The other temple is dedicated to Malinatha and it was originally a boulder containing rock-cut images of Bahubali, Parsvanatha, Adinatha, Mahavira and Ambika yakshi. These images were carved in the 9th century CE. [6]

Parshvanatha temple or Raja Gopuram is a seven storeyed tower with a total height of more than 70 feet. Images of tirthankaras are carved on temple walls. Main idol of Parsvanatha temple is a black colored 14 feet idol of Parsvanatha in Padmasan posture. The 52 feet manastambha in the temple is a monolith.

Malinatha Temple is also known as Thiruvooram Palli or Kattam Palli. The carvings of Tirtankaras Bahubali, Parshvanatha, Adinath bagavan, Mahavira and Yakshi Dharma Devi belonging to the 7th century sculptured on a single rock here is a testimony to the workmanship of those days.

Other Temples

Location

The Math is located 20 km off Tindivanam and 10 km east of Gingee. [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Tourist Information of Vilupuram District Tamilnadu South Indian States India". Southindianstates.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Sangave, Vilas Adinath (2001). Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and ... - Vilas Adinath Sangave - Google Books. Popular Prakashan. ISBN   9788171548392 . Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Front Page : Mahavira bas-relief tells a story". The Hindu . 8 August 2008. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "on www.jainsamaj.org ( Jainism, Ahimsa News, Religion, Non-Violence, Culture, Vegetarianism, Meditation, India. )". Jainsamaj.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 C.S, Srinivasachari (1943). History Of Gingee And Its Rulers.
  6. ↑ "Viluppuram Places of Interest". Madura Welcome. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
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