Adhinathar Jain Temple, Poondi, Arani, Thiruvannamalai
Adhinathar
Jain Temple is located at Poondi village located at a distance of 3 kms from
Arani town in the Arcot road in Thiruvannamalai district. It was built in the
Chola architectural style. An inscription laid in the sanctum of the temple by Samburvarayar
king, named as ‘Veeraveera Jinalayam’. King Veerasamban (1305 AD) built this
temple to promote Jainism in the area. He also patronized the temple. So it is
called as Veeraveera Jinalayam. It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.
The
Temple
The
complex contains dual sections of Vedi-blocks, one is for Adhinathar as
Ponnezhilnathar and another is for Parswanathar. Dharmadevi shrine was also
built by the above said King of Sambuvarayar. And subsequently Brahmadevar,
Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Chakreshwari, Padmavathy shrine with vimana and
Pandugasilai Mandapam on the top of the fore-pavilion were built by
the direct descendants of the original settlers.
The
Temple is surrounded by walls on all sides. To the fore, Parswanathar
Vedi-block was built with Sanctum, fore-sanctum, Arthamandapam, Mahamandapam &
Mugamandapam porch. Standing posture of Parswanathar stone plate bas-relief is
established on the Plinth. The five feet statue has beautiful carving of the
Lord figure with dilated five headed snake over the head and its long tail
reach the bottom. That was crowned by two tiers Vimana with all features of
Chola temple towers.
Each
tier got one sitting posture Thirthankar idol on four directions. One standing
Jinar is in the west direction differently. Two 24 Thirthankars assembly
stone plate incision statues and a Navadevatha stone carvings are in the
pavilion. Some alloy pantheons are also present in the portion. Adjacent to
that another block has the same sections with Shri Adhinathar, named as
‘Ponezhilnathar’ / ‘Ponneyilnathar’. Stone plate engraving with Jinar features
was installed on the Vedi-platform.
On left
side room Shri Chandraprabhanathar stone idol with Samavasaran Jinar eight
aspects engravings was seated. On the otherside Shri Jwalamalini
Devi stone idol is placed on a separate platform. In front of the chamber a
Manasthampam is installed gigantically with four Jinars at the bottom in
sitting posture and in standing Jinars at the top vimana.
Both two
sanctum block has separate altars at front in the corridor. On the back of the
Chambers two shrine rooms has separate plinth and Vimana, shikhara and Kalasha
on the top arranged in the either corner of the corridor. The two mini-temples
consist of Shri Brahmadevar and Shri Dharmadevi stone statues were installed.
Between
the two mini-temples four non-crowned shrines were built which has Shri
Sarawathi Devi, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Chakreshwari Devi, Shri Padmavathy
Devi arranged in order. These structures belong to 20th Century. A
staircase is for Kalasha Mandapam of fore-porch. On the top floor a
Pandugasilai pavilion with four pillars is also constructed. All the above are
maintained by Archeology Survey of India and Poojas of daily has been conducted
by state government staff. All periodical rituals and festivals are conducted
and celebrated by the Jain community people.
Connectivity
The
Temple is located at about 80 Kms from Thindivanam, 72 Kms from Kanchipuram, 33
Kms from Vellore, 62 Kms from Thiruvannamalai, 44 Kms from Vandavasi and 93 Kms
from Villupuram. This Temple is located at about 3 Kms (1.9 mi) from Arani. Nearest Railway Station is located at Arani and
Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
