Mahaveerar Jain Temple, Esakulathur, Thiruvannamalai
Mahaveerar
Jain Temple is located at Esakulathur Village in Thiruvannamalai District of
Tamilnadu. Esakulathur village is located at about 22 Kms southwest of
Vandavasi, 16 Kms southeast of Chetpet near to the Solaiarugavoor village. It
got older granite idols. Especially the
Jinalaya is importance for Shri Dharmadevi yakshi, so three generation carvings
of the captioned idol is preserved here.
Shri
Mahaveerar Jinar granite plate carving is on the plinth of Gharbahriha. The
Simmasana and the figure of Jinar is thrust out from other features is a unique
fashion of that sculpture. And two stone windows are fitted on two side wall of
that chamber. Either side of entranceway Shri Bhagwan Bahubali and Shri
Parshwanathar stone sculptures are in standing posture upon pedestal in the
north and south.
The
chamber is crowned by three tier Vimana, shikhara and Kalasha. Jinar idols are
exhibited on four directions of the tower on each tier. Next to womb-chamber
the Anthralam and rear-section of a squared pavilion are combined to form Arthamandapam.
It has metal idols of Shri Parswanathar, some Thirthankars, Yaksh and Yakshis
on either side platforms, including the 24 Thirthankars, two Navadevathas stone
idols are arranged properly.
The Mahamandapam,
the middle of the square pavilion, consists of Nithya pooja Dias and Shri
Brahmadevar, sitting on a huge elephant, on southern side and two Shri
Dharmadevi beautiful stone idols on northern side are on individual platforms.
It has two windows and a doorway are constructed for security. Last
fore-section of the pavilion used as Mugamandapam.
The
Entrance is east facing and it is surrounded by walls on all sides. Only altar is
installed at the front. A Kalasha Mandapam is located at the northeast corner
of compound wall. Daily pooja, Nantheeswara Deepa pooja and Mukkudai, Audi
Friday special poojas are conducted recurrently.
Esakulathur
village is located at about 22 Kms southwest of Vandavasi, 16 Kms southeast of
Chetpet and 65 Kms from Thiruvannamalai. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Thiruvannamalai and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
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