Mel Sithamur Jain Math, Villupuram
Jina Kanchi Jain Math, Melsithamur, is a Jain
Matha that is located
near Gingee, Villupuram district, Tamil
Nadu, India. It is the primary religious center of the Tamil
Jain community. It is headed by the primary
religious head of this community, Bhattaraka Laxmisena Swami.
History
The Villupuram area has been an important centre
of Jainism since ancient times. Historically, there was
a Jain Math at Kanchipuram but it was shifted to its current location here.
Mel Chittamur is 20 kms of Tindivanam and 10 kms east of
Gingee. Head quarters of Digambara sect in Tamilnadu with the Jina Kanchi
Math presided over by the Pontiff. Two temples, one dedicated to
Parsvanatha and other known as 'Mailanatha temple was originally a boulder
containing rock-cut images of Bahubali, Parsvanatha, Adinatha, Mahavira and
Ambika yakshi carved in the 9th century AD. Rebuilt in the 16th century
and renovated in the present century.
Pallavas:
From 7th to 9th century A.D, this village was
a part of Singavaram and was ruled by the kings of Pallava dynasty.
Cholas:
After the fall of Pallavas, Cholas took control of the
entire Tamilnadu and patronized Tamil effectively. During the reign of
Adithan-I, Rajadhiraja-II and Vikrama Cholan, this Sithamur was well looked
after.
Sambuvaraya’s:
Kings of Sambuvaraya dynasty ruled over certain parts of
Chola Empire. They had allotted land to Malainathar temple.
Pandiyas:
When Chola dynasty suffered a fall, Sadaiyavarman
Sundara Pandiya-I took over the kingdom and Melsithamur was continued to be
taken care of.
Vijaya
Nagar - Kings of Nayaka dynasty:
It was since the rule of Vijaya Nagar kings that the
parts around Gingee started flourishing one. Sri, Venkatappa Nayakkar helped to
renovate Pareesan Temple. He had also sanctioned permission to erect
Maanasthambam.
Stone-Inscriptions:
Various stone-inscriptions of Cholas, Vijayanagar kings
and their successors are available at Sithamur. The various ancient glories of
Sithamur are found in the stone inscriptions of Maarangiyur, Paranur,
Thirumazhapadi and Singavaram and Copper stone inscriptions talk about the
glories of Aalampoondi.
Malaiyanaar-
Malainathar Kovil:
In the year 871 A.C. (i.e. 24 x 7), one Sri Mathiyan
Arinthigai belonging to Then Kavai Kula Mangalam- Puthaambur of Pudukottai
District of Cholanadu donated a Nandha lamp (Vilakku) to keep the preaching
hall of Malainathar Kovil illuminated perpetually (i.e.) as long as the sun and
the moon exist in the world.
Inscriptions
below the statues of Malainathar (871 A.D):
The inscription begins with the “Swastishree Kaadavar
Kon Pavia” and ends with “Aram Peruga Vaakumaval”. The meaning of the lines is
that the magnificent queen of Aditha Cholan, Kadavar Kon Paavai wearing the
clanking anklets, had chosen the glorious Melsithamur to improve and implement
the already existing Jain charities there.
Stone
Inscriptions of Vikrama Chola (A.D. 1136):
The inscription begins with “Swathi Shree Koparakesari
and says that barren lands in between Venkalathur and Theevanur were donated to
Sithamur Simmapurinathaswamy (Pareeswanathaswamy) at 3 Maa per village.
Singapurinathar Jinalayam was famous during Chola period itself. In the
succeeding periods of Vijaya Niagara kings, it was improved architecturally.
Stone
Inscriptions’ of Kulothunga Cholan (A.D. 1148):
The opening line of the inscription starts with “Swasthi
Shree Thiripuvana Chakravarthigal”. The inscription ends with “I gave to
Pareesa Thevar of the temple”. During the 12th year of their rule, wife of
Raja Kambeeramaran gave Sithamur itself an absolute gift to Pareesa Thevar.
Parswanathar Temple is also called “Palliyaazhvaar Temple” and
“Theerthangararai Paareesa Thevar”.
Rajadhiraja
II (A.D. 1163- 1179):
During the 10th year of his rule, he had assigned
government lands to Theerthangarar enshrined at Sithamur. Thiruvoorampalli
Pandiya Naadu Kondaan has also given lands as gift.
Vishnu
Deva Maharaayar (A.D 1218):
To meet out the expenditure occurred on work ship at
Singapurinathar temple and its festival, a piece of land (extent 91 kuzhi) in
the east of tank was given away. To meet out the expenditure towards worship at
Malaiyanaarkoil, a piece of land (extent 30 kuzhi) was given away as
Pallichandam.
Achuthappa
Naickar (A.D.1582):
This inscription starts with a saying “Swasthi Shree”
and ends with a saying “Let the most grievous sinners go to hell”. It informs
that five persons employed in the temple were given lands.
Venkatapathi
Deva Maharaayar (A.D. 1578- 1586):
12 persons, serving the temple of Simmapurinaathar were
honoured with lands. One Busi Chetty s/o Boyee Chetty of Mahanaga Kulam,
Karnataka, was given permission to erect Maanasthambam (Kannada and Sanskrit).
The stone-inscriptions found here convey that they belong to ancient ages and
also remain as valuable clues in history.
Architecture
There are two temples and one of them is dedicated
to Parsvanatha. The other temple is dedicated to Mailanatha 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.
Temple’s Raja Gopuram:
The Raja Gopuram is a seven storeyed tower with a total
height of more than 70 feet. The base of the Gopuram consists of the structures
of “Ubanam Kandam”, “Palti”,”Kumudhappadai” and “Kamothagam”. The walls are
equally adorned with “Kumba Pancharangas” and “Kotta Pancharangas”.
Temple
Kodimaram and Manasthambam:
Entering the beautiful towering temple, one can enjoy
the Dharshan of Kala Theerthangaras on the walls of the temple. At the end
stands a tall copper sheet pillar upon which is engraved a Kodithambam and the
divine beings of 1) Aravaazhi 2)Sarvaana Yatchan 3)Mukkudai and 4)Dharma Devi.
There is an altar on the highly elevated dais. There
stands a gigantic 52’ high Maanasthambam made of a single stone, promising
salvation of sins and peace to the human souls. This was erected by the
devotee, Buse Chetty, belonging to Karnataka. There are statues of Bhagwan
Adhinath and Bhagwan Mahaveera. There is a statue of Bhagwan Sandhinathar at
the west and that of Bhagwan Neminathar and Bhagwan Padmapraba at the north.
Shri
1008 Parswanath Bhagawan Temple:
On the first floor of Moola Gopura of Shree Parswanatha Jinalayam,
there is a wide and broad room. This room is filled with the sculptures and
paintings of divine Gods and Goddesses. These Colorful Ancient Paintings and
Sculptures can be seen here.
Moolanathar
– Shri 1008 Parswanath Bhagawan:
The statue of the Moolavar, Shri 1008 Parshwanath
Bhagawan, is 14 feet high and is
found in a meditating posture. The statue is sculptured of black stone. The
eyes depict yogic stage; the lips with a divine smile and the amazing beauty of
the face reflect immense kindness and grace. The statue itself is excellently
crafted to provide it a perfect look.
Both sides of the tower (Prabavali) are engraved with
the images of 23 Theerthankaras and 2 Samaraitharis, Peeta, Dharanendiran and
Padmavathi Yakshi. At the front there is a magnificent exhibit of all the eight
kinds of auspicious symbols (Ashta Mangalam) and at the centre Dharma Chakra
glows. At the back of the sculpture, there are the symbols of 14 ancient
scriptures (Agamas-Shrutha Sthambam).
Dharmadevi
Yakshi:
Adjacent to mantapa there is a ‘Karuvarai’ for
Kooshmandini alias Dharmadevi. The Yakshis eyes are filled with mercy and she
is extremely graceful. Age old hymns and songs that praise the fame and glory
of the Devi are being sung. She is deemed as the most powerful Devi who
fulfills wishes of her devotees.
Vidhana Sculpture at the entrance of Mantapa (Muga
Mandapa Vidhana Sirpam) is awesome. The carving in one and the same stone-sheet
is excellent. A beautiful lotus bloomed with five rows of petals and six parrots
seated on the petals picking them with their beaks and four more parrots
relishing the blossom is a refreshing sight.
Neminathar
Temple:
The statue of Lord Neminathar is six feet high.
Neminathar magnificently stands in a meditating posture. This sculpture is made
of black stone. The sculptural accuracy in the statue is great. There is
Prabavali at the feet of Neminathar. Sarvaana Yatchagar and Kooshmandini Devi
are also seen. This statue is said to have been brought from Chennai Mayilai
(now known as Santhome) before 700 years. The age of the statue is more than
1700 years.
Five
Temples:
Brightly painted mandapam of five temples adjacently
placed hold Shasana Devathas: Brahma Thevar, Motchalakshmi, Jinavani,
Padmavathi Devi and Jwala Malini Devi. They seem to promise harmony and peace
to the devotees. At present, these temples desperately need repainting which is
usually done with herbs.
Vardhaman
Mahaveer Temple:
There is the temple for Vardhaman Mahavir who has
awakened the mankind from deep slumber and taught them to think good and do
good to others. There are also idols of Bhagwan Chandraprabha, Bhagwan
Santhinath, Bhagwan Neminath and Ganadhara Parameshti.
Sixteen
Pillared Alankara Mandapa:
On each pillar one can find the carvings of 2 Mathaji’s,
who displays the dogmas of Jain faith. Their clasped hands exhibit the eight
kinds of Mangalas (Ashta Mangalas). They also contain the engraved 24
Tirtankaras, Bharathan, Bahubali, Natural Jinalayas (Akruthama), the status of
Siddhas (Dharmasthigayam), the figures of Mummani (Rathnathrayam), Yatchan,
Yatchis, Maha Munis, Aarikas, Navadevada, Aimbarametigal (Panchameru) and
Aravaazhi (Dharmachakra) indulged in mortification and austerity.
The sculptures of “Thirivikram” describing the event of
Nemi Kumaran entering the temple of Indiraa, standing on a snake, loading the
arrow and blowing the conch shell (Sangu) are also depicted.
Mantapa
at the front:
Yakshan and Yakshis of Kailayam, Sammedha Sigaram,
Sampapuri, Oorjayanthagiri (Girinar), Paavapuri, perpetual Theerthangaras,
27-Stars, 12-Raasis, Shasana Deva-Deviar, 16 dreams of Jinamatha, 8 Manglas and
amazing sculptures are beautifully carved on the pillars of the temple.
Jinalaya
Shethra Balagar (Bairavar):
Shethra Balagar, the sole authority of the temple, along
with his vahana, the Dog, gives his darshan here. He is adorned with garlands
and ornaments of precious stones.
Deities
Moolavar – Parshvanath Bhagwan
Other Deities – Bhagwan Munisuvrat, Bhagwan Neminath,
Bhagwan Mahavir, Bhagwan Bahubali, Ganadhara Parameshti, Dharmadevi Yakshi,
Jinavani, Mokshalakshmi, Brahmadevar, Padmavathi Yakshi, Jwalamalini Yakshi,
Navagraham.
Location
The Math is located 20 km off Tindivanam and 10 km east of Gingee.
Contact
Shri
Jinkanchi Jain Mat,
Shri Atishay Kshetra Mel-Chittamur
Kanchipuram, Gingee, Villupuram,
Tamil Nadu, India, 605602
Phone: +91-04145-235325
Shri Adinath Digambar Jain Mangement Trust
Koliyanur, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu,
India, 605103
Contact
Person: Sunil Jain: +91-94430-70754
Shri Digambar Jain Mandir
Peramandur, Tindivanam,
Villupuram, Tamil Nadu,
India, 604302
Mobile: +91-93451-41399, 94427-09316
Shri Digambar Jain Mandir
Subramanya swamy Koil Street,
Tindivanam, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu,
India, 604001
Contact
Person: Shrenik raj Jain: +91-94432-63352