Seeyamangalam Rock Cut Jain Temple, Thiruvannamalai
Seeyamangalam
rock cut Jain temple was built by Western Ganga King Rajamalla II during the end of 9th century.
This temple is seen in a hillock named Vijayadri (as per inscription of
Rajamalla II) located northern side of Thun Andar Shiva temple. . On the top of
the rock facing east, relief sculptures of Mahaveer, Parshvanatha and Bahubali
are seen.
Seeyamangalam
village has more than 1500 year’s old heritage. It has two historically
important rock cut cave temples, 7th century C.E. Rock cut Shiva Temple and 9th
century C.E. rock cut Jain
temple. Famous Buddhist Acharya
and Philosopher Dignagar (6th century C.E.) was believed to be born in
Seeyamangalam.
Etymology
The name
"Seeyamangalam" might have evolved from the older name of this
village "Simhavishnu Chaturvedhi mangalam" named after the Pallava
king, Simhavishnu, father of Mahendravarman. Another possibility is that it might have derived from
the name "Simhamangalam" named after Pallava king Narasimhavarman
I.
Rock Cut
Jain Temple
Inside
the rock cut Jain Temple, recently a new Mahaveerar statue is kept and worshipped by nearby Tamil
Jains. On the top of the rock facing east, relief sculptures of Mahaveerar,
Parshavanathar and Bahubali are seen. On the either side of Bahubali, his sisters Brahmi and Saundari are seen. On the top,
left side of Bahubali, Indra sitting on elephant and right side, two Gandharvas are seen. The left hand of the Bahubali was
damaged.
The head
of Parshavanathar is surrounded by five headed snake. The left and
right side of Parshavanathar, his attendants Padmavathi and Dharanendiran
can be seen. Both the images of Bahubali and Parshavanathar were carved in standing posture. The image
of Mahaveerar, sitting in Sukhasana position on a Simhasana with his attendants on either side is seen at the
extreme southern direction. Though many people visit Rock Cut Shiva temple,
they are often unaware of this rock cut Jain temple.
Jain
Inscriptions
There
are two inscriptions found in this hillock. First one is seen near to relief
sculptures (right side of Mahaveerar) and it was engraved in Grantha script and Sanskrit
language. It is a mixture of prose and poetry. It explains that Rajamalla
established two temples for Jinaraja in Vidyadri (hillock) in Saka
815 (892-93 A.D). It also explains Arunkal-anvaya (school of Jain Monks),
which was adorned by illustrious pontiffs, who had successfully crossed the
vast expanse of the sea of knowledge of all the sciences, belonged
to Nandi Sanga of Jinendra Sanga. Though the inscription
mentions two temples, the second one is not yet found.
The
second inscription which was engraved in Tamil (Tamil portion, prose) and
Grantha (Sanskrit portion, poetry) characters, located at the foot of the
hillock in the northern side of the temple. The Sanskrit portion explains the
exaltation to the Arunkal-anvaya belonging to the Nandi
Sanga of Dravida Sanga. The Tamil portion records that
Vajranandhi-Yogindrar, the disciple of Gunaviradevar who was
the Mandalacharya of Arunkal-anvaya caused to be
constructed a flight of steps. These steps (see the picture gallery) are still
in good condition.
Rajamalla
II had built another Jain rock cut temple in Vallimalai in Vellore
district during the same 9th
century C.E. This leads to the conclusion that some parts of northern Tamilnadu
was under the rule of this Western Ganga King Rajamalla II.
Connectivity
Seeyamangalam is
located about 2 km from Desur. It can be reached via Gingee and
Vandavasi. Seeyamangalam is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest
of Vandavasi, 21 kilometres (13 mi) southeast of Chettupattu and 63 kilometres (39 mi) northeast of
district headquarters Thiruvannamalai.
In the
Vandavasi-Chetpet road, you have to travel for about 15 kms and at Mazhaiyur
cross road, take a left turn (south) and travel further for around 8 kms via
Desur to reach Seeyamangalam.
From Vandavasi, town buses No: 144, to Gingee and No: W2 to Magamaai Thirumeni go through
Seeyamangalam. One private bus named V.M. from Desur to Gingee also goes through Seeyamangalam. However,
frequency of buses to this village is less. Hiring auto from Desur is a good option to reach.
