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Sunday, February 12, 2017

Adhinathar Jain Temple, Poondi, Arani, Thiruvannamalai

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