Adhinathar Jain Temple, Mudalur, Thiruvannamalai
Adhinathar
Jain Temple is located in Mudalur village at about 10 Kms south east of
Vandavasi town in Thiruvannamalai District. This Jinalaya was constructed by
the native Jains of this village 600 years back and dedicated to Shri Adhinathar
Jinar. It is a notified pilgrimage centre and referred in poems
like “Adhinathar Pillai Tamil”.
The
Temple
The
small temple consists of all Dravidian style features of Sanctum, Ardhamandapam,
Mahamandapam and Mugamandapam and others. The Temple is closed by walls on all
sides with entrance at the eastern side.
The Temple has a tall Manasthampam pillar with beautiful bas relief
figures of Jinars on all four directions. And an altar structure is also built
adjacently. The sanctum sanctorum has a marvelous, gigantic, fully carved
granite sculpture of Adhinathar of 5 feet high on the plinth.
The
plinth itself is more than 3.5 feet height. This might be one of the biggest
stone idols in the south Jinalayas. It was crowned by two stage Vimana shikara
with padmam and a kalasha upon. Along the first stage of Vimanam, four Jinars
are in sitting posture located inside the sala and the top tier has Jinars in
standing posture located below the nasi position on each directions. The Ardhamandapam
center platform consists of stone idol of Shri Adhinathar for daily pooja. All
metal images are arranged in stepped platform on either side.
Parshwanathar
Stone Statue and Chadurmugi speciman are also included in the platform. A
mutilated Old Moolavar is located on the north side pedestal and Shri
Brahmadevar stone sculpture on an elephant is placed on the Southside. Alloy
idols of important Jinars, Navadevatha, Shruthaskandh, Mahameru, Nandeeswara
model and some Yaksh, Yakshis can also be seen in the Temple.
Shri
Chakreshwari Devi is housed in a separate small temple with Vimana in the
north-east corner of the corridor facing south. Shri Chakreshwari Devi stone sculpture
is in sitting posture with twelve arms. The top Vimana has four goddess mortar
idols on each direction. And a shrine also built for Shri Kshetrabalagar, a
demi-god, in the corridor.
Festivals
Regular
poojas and rituals are conducted at the appropriate time. All Jain festivals
are celebrated on the relevant dates.
Contact
Adhinathar
Jain Temple,
Mudalur,
Thiruvannamalai District
Mobile: +91 9442055390
Connectivity
Mudalur is
located at about10 Kms south east from Vandavasi town. Nearest Railway Station
is located at Thindivanam (25 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
