Vasupoojyar Jain Temple, Naval, Thiruvannamalai
Naval
Jain Temple located in Naval in Thiruvannamalai is a famous Jain Temple for
Jain communities. Jains visit this temple and perform their worship. This
temple is an ancient old Jain temple and is said to have built some 1000s of
years back. Special Poojas and Festivals are performed here with much gaiety
and fervor.
Naval is
a small village (near Vellai) 14 kms from Cheyyaru town towards Thavasi route. Small
number of Jains has been living there. In olden days many debates are conducted
between Jains and other communities in the presence of Jamun fruit trees (eg.
Agalankar verses Buddhist monk). So the area had been called as
Noval (Jamun fruit tree) village. Many Naval trees are occurred in the area.
The
Temple
A
beautiful Jinalaya of 400 years old is there. It was dedicated to Shri
Vasupoojya Jinar (very rare main deity in the south) who is the twelfth Jinar
of twenty four in no’s. East entranceway (Kudavarai) has tall twin-gates
attached with around corridor enclosure-wall. On the top the temple Bell is
supported for swinging. The open corridor is paved by cement concrete.
The
Jinalaya layout is as usual Chola temple art design having Sanctum,
fore-pathway, Ardhamandapam and Muhamandapam porch. Shri Vasupoojya Jinar’s
white marble absolute-carving sculpture was installed on a plinth. A
silver tri-umbrella is hanging on its over-head. A single stage beautiful Vimana
with padmam and kalasha is crowned upon. Along the Griva section under the Nasi
(with Indra face) a Jinar in sitting posture with tri-umbrella and whisk maids
exhibits around the four directions.
Inside
the Ardhamandapam daily pooja platform is at the center. On either side alloy
idols of Thirthankars for festivals worship, Mahameru, Shruthaskanth, 24 Thirthankar
mould, Navathevatha, Rathnathriya and Yaksh Shri Brahmadevar, Yakshies Shri
Padmavathy, Shri Jwalamalini, Shri Kooshmandini are arranged in order.
In Muhamandapam
porch two Dwarabalagar stone sculptures are supported by pedestal is on either
side of aisle. On the north-east side of corridor Shri Padmavathy Devi shrine
is allotted for worship. On the left side of entrance two legendry
stone sculptures of old Moolavars are preserved in a shed.
Regular
poojas and rituals are conducted at the appropriate time. All Jain festivals
are celebrated on the relevant dates. Recurrent visit by the devotees can safe
guard the treasure for future.
Special
Poojas & Festivals
The
following festivals and special poojas are conducted in Jain Temples.
· Akshaya
Tritiya commemorates the first Tirthankara, Rishabha, partaking food after many
long years of penance
·
Jinaratri
commemorates Rishabha’s Moksha
·
Mahavir
Jayanti celebrates Tirthankara Mahavira’s birth
·
Diwali
commemorates Mahavira’s Moksha
·
Vasanta
Panchami honors the Jain Agamas
· Upaakarma
commemorates the Chakravartin Bharata, son of Rishabha, acknowledge the true
scholars by awarding them the Upanayanam
·
Karthikai
Deepam at the onset of the month of Karthikai
Fastings
Fastings
and other religious practices are also undertaken at this Jain Math like Full
moon days Chaturdashi (14th day of the fortnight), Ashtami (8th day of the
fortnight) are days chosen for fasting and religious observations. Women take
food only after reciting the name of a Tirthankara five times.
People
undertake such practices as a vow for certain period of time – sometimes even
for years. On completion, Udhyapana festivals (special prayer services) are
performed religious books and memorabilia are distributed. People who take
certain vows eat only after sunrise and before sunset.
Contact
Jain
Temple, Naval Village,
Cheyyar
Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai,
Shri Dharmabalan:
+91 9710082071
Routes
Tindivanam
→ Vandavasi → Cheyyaru → Naval = 72 kms.
Kanchipuram
→ Cheyyaru → Naval = 35 kms.
Vellore
→ Arcot → Kalavai road → Cheyyaru → Naval = 72 kms.
Thiruvannamalai
→ Polur → Arni → Cheyyaru → Naval = 102 kms.
Connectivity
By Bus:
Buses
from all places in Tamil Nadu are available to reach this Jain Math in Naval in
Thiruvannamalai.
By Train:
Nearest
railway station is Thiruvannamalai. From here the buses and private taxis are
available to reach this Jain Math in Naval Village.
By Air:
The
nearest airport is Chennai located at 155 km to Thiruvannamalai. From here
trains and buses and private taxis are available to reach Jain Temple in Naval
Village.
References