Trilokyanatha Temple & Thrikooda Temple,
Thiruparuthikunram, Kanchipuram
Trilokyanatha
Temple and Thrikooda Basdi Temple are the two Jain Temples located in Thiruparuthikunram
located at the suburbs of Kanchipuram Town. A predominant, illustrious Jinalaya
with all features was built in 6 century AD. 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. Tourists
can see beautiful paintings on the ceilings of the temple.
The main
deity of Mahaveerar was made up of bright pink stone. Temple built out of
yellow stone has inscriptions which belong to 9th century. 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. Thiruparuthikunram is a village situated
on the banks of the Palar River and is a suburb of Kanchipuram’s Pillaiyaar
Palayam.
History
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 from the 1890s to the
1920s, 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 in circa 1199. Pallava kings like
Alagiya Pallavan has contributed to the construction of the walls in the 13th
century. Vijayanagar Kings like Krishnadevaraya have also bequeathed land and had
the 14th century paintings repainted in the 16th-17th 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.
The
Temple
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.
In the
13th Century AD, 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 colour 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 in the year 1387 to 1388 AD 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. (Evidences of antique was concealed while renovation). Then five saint
chambers called as Munivasam was constructed for saints Shri Mallisenar, Shri
Pushpasenar, Shri Pushpasenawamanar, Shri Chandrakeerthi and Shri Anandhaveeriar.
They are the Caretakers and trustees of the temple.
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
13th Century AD 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.
On the
southwest outskirts of the temple five peedams are installed on a platform, to
commemorate the Five Munis, who were staying in the Muni-vasam chambers, after
getting their moksha.
Contact
Thiruparuthikunram
Jain Temple,
Thiruparuthikunram,
Pillaiyarpalayam Putheri,
Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram District
Tamilnadu
– 631502
Connectivity
Thiruparuthikunram
is a village located on the banks of the Palar River, a little off the Pillaiyarpalayam
suburbs of Kanchipuram. It is not inaccessible but locals in Kanchi tend to
hear the name as Thiru-Paramkundram, so be careful to confirm that you want to
go to the "Buddha temple". Take the road that connects the Kachabeswarar
temple to Kailasanatha temple. You will pass by the Kanchi Kudil museum on your
left. Turn left soon after and you will see many weavers' houses on your right.
In a few minutes, you will find a temple on your left and a road opposite
leading to another temple.
Take the
road, and turn at the last left and then right soon after. It will help to ask
for directions here to Pillaiyarpalayam-Thiruparuthikunram. You will be on the
right track if you cross Kali-Amman temple on your left, pass a board on your
right indicating that you are leaving Kanchi, cross a bumpy road on the
riverbed and then turn left again. Go straight down this bumpy road till you
see a Pillaiyaar temple under a tree, turn right and you will see the temple.
By Road:
Kanchipuram
is well connected to rest of Tamilnadu by Road. Nearest town to Thiruparuthikunram
Jain Temple is Kanchipuram which is 5 km away.
By Train:
Nearest
Railway Station to Thiruparuthikunram Jain Temple is Old Kanchipuram Railway
Stating which is 6km away. Bus and auto services are available to access the
temple.
By Air:
Nearest
airport to Thiruparuthikunram Jain Temple is Chennai Airport which is 65km
away. Bus and Taxi services are available to access the temple.
References