Thirakoil Jain Complex, Thellar, Thiruvannamalai
Thirakoil
Jain Complex is located in the hillock in Thirakoil Village in Thellar Taluk in
Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. There are two ancient Digambar Jain
Temples, 25 feet high rock boulder with Thirthankar Sculptures and three Jain
Caves at Thirakoil Jain Temple complex.
Etymology
It is
believed that this place got its name from the word "thurugal"
meaning rock. Later it modified to "thirakol" then
became Thirakoil.
Jain
Complex
The
picturesque Thirakoil hillock and the scattered boulders runs through
the village from north to north-east direction. There are two ancient
Digambar Jain Temples, 25 feet high rock boulder with Thirthankar Sculptures and
three Jain Caves at Thirakoil Jain Temple complex. The most ancient among the
two is the small square shaped ‘Adhinathar Shrine' located on top of the
Thirakoil hillock and the second one is ‘Adhinathar Shrine’ at the
foothills which came later.
There is
an awesome bas-relief of Adhinathar measuring about 4 feet in height appear on
one of the boulders located at the southern side of the foothills. It reminds
the sculpture at Madurai Pechipallam. The entire Thirakoil Jain Temple
complex is protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A flight of
narrow steps (carved on the highly sloping rock) leads to the top of the hill.
The climb atop the hill is tremendous fun; and a bit taxing on your breathing
rhythm. The view from the top is awesome.
Jain Caves:
There
are three small caves present in the hill. One Cave is located at the
mid-South, other two are located at the west and east side of the hill. These
caves were used as Jain abodes during 8th Century. These caves were
naturally formed in which Jain Monks lived. At these natural caves number of Jain
monks formed "Jain Muni Sangh" (Union of Jain monks) and observed
meditation, practiced for self-recognition and purification.
25 feet high rock boulder with Thirthankar Sculptures:
To the
south of the Thirakoil hillock and near to the entrance of the Thirakoil Temple
complex, there is a monolithic stone of 25 feet high in which idols of four Thirthankars (Mahavira, Parshva or Parsavanathar, Rishabha or Kilaku
Rishabanathar and Chandranathar) were carved nicely at the four sides. This rock is
called as Jinagiri Palli.
Adhinathar:
Adhinathar
aka Rishabanathar first Thirthankar appears seated in padmasana (lotus posture)
in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne. Above him are Praba-chakra
(Divine Aura) and triple umbrella. On his two sides are figures of chauri
(whisk) bearers. The image faces east.
Mahaveerar:
Mahaveerar,
24th Thirthankar, appears seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in
dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne. Above him are Praba-chakra
(Divine Aura) and triple umbrella. On his two sides are figures of
chauri (whisk) bearers. The image faces east. There is a niche for lighting oil
lamp.
Parsavanathar:
Parsavanathar,
23rd Thirthankar, standing on lotus flower with five -hooded serpent
canopy above his head. Around his shoulder level Kamada preparing to attack the
saint with stone. The image of the Yaksha Dharanendrar kneeling down
before the Lord and the image of Yakshi Padmavati keep spreading the umbrella
and protecting the Lord from Kamadan's attack.
Chandranathar:
Chandranathar
(Chandraprabha) appears seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana
mudra (meditation) on a lion throne. Above him are Praba-chakra (Divine
Aura) and triple umbrella. On his two sides are figures of chauri
(whisk) bearers. The lotus pedestal bears crescent moon emblem. The image faces
north and receives the pilgrims at the entrance.
ASI has
enclosed this historical rock within iron grills.
Jain Temple at Hill Top:
The
inscriptions indicate that this Digambara Jain temple devoted Lord Adhinathar
on top of Thirakoil hillock as Mai Siddhappalli or Siddhaperumpalli. The
present temple structure was constructed quite recently on the vestiges of the
ancient hill temple. The shrine has sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapam, and
mukhamandapam. The two pilasters standing between the Arthamandapam and mukha
mandapam have the Pallava style Pothikai (cornice) on top. The previous
rectangular shaped ancient brick structure would have constructed during 6th century
AD.
The
sanctum and shikhara got dilapidated over a period of time. The bricks
used appear in unusual in size (L 26 cm x W 16 cm x H 7 cm). The vestiges
of perimeter wall around the hill temple could be noted even now. The idol of
Lord Adhinathar, the prime deity got broken into three pieces. Now this
sculpture is displayed in the Government Egmore Museum, Chennai. They have
replaced the broken idol with new one from the foothills temple.
This 3
feet tall and proportionally narrow idol, without the identification symbol of Thirthankar
kept at Arthamandapam, is considered as the most ancient among the idols
worshiped in this temple. The wide triple parasol or umbrella above the head
and the thick band of divine halo behind him indicate the age of the idol.
The stout hands and short ear lobes (not touching the shoulders) designate the
idol to 7th century AD.
Jain Temple at Down Hill:
At the
foothills there is Adhinathar temple with sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapam and Mahamandapam,
built after 'Jinagiri Palli' i.e. around 11th century AD and the Mahamandapam
around 13th century AD. The vratta sthamba (rounded pillars) are seen both in
the Arthamandapam and Mahamandapam. The 13th century inscription on this pillar
speaks about Idaiyaran Atkondan of Devapuram and his gift of rounded pillars to
the temple.
The
three feet high idol of the prime deity Adhinathar (in seated posture) with
damaged nose is kept at Mahamandapam. The present idol of Lord Adhinathar,
the prime deity is sculpted with white marble. The sculpture depicts him seated
on the lions throne in the lotus position or kayotsarga.
Inscriptions
Until
the 10th century this place was called Thandapuram. Raja
Raja Chola I's inscriptions of 1007 A.
D. at Jinagiri Palli quotes these cave abodes as Sankaraippalli and Mai
Sutthappalli. Bhagavan Mahavira's idol is worshipped at the temple which is recently
built. This name Palli was coined by the scholars to address this temple. The
word 'Palli' has a strong association with Jainism and the ascetics used to
call their education centre as 'Palli'.
The
Parakesarivarman Chola inscription is seen nearer to Adhinathar sculpture (on
Jinagiri rock) speaks about the gift of sheeps made by Eranandhi for burning
perpetual lamp in Thandapuram Jinapalli. The ancient name of this Jain temple
was Thandapuram Jinapalli. The Rajaraja Chola I's inscription located near
Parsavanathar sculpture (on Jinagiri rock) dated 1007 AD bears the name of this
hill temple as 'Gangasoora perumpalli' located in Rajakesaripuram.
In
spoken language this temple is also known as Kangaraiyan Palli. Another
Parakesarivarman Chola's inscription nearer to Adhinathar sculpture informs
about the gift of paddy by Kanakavirasithadikal to the temple. There is one
more inscription not readable fully - (on the western side of the Jinagiri
rock) brings out the gift of gold for burning perpetual lamp.
Connectivity
Thirakoil
Jain Complex is located at about 15 Kms southwest of Vandavasi, 7 Kms from
Ponnur Kundkundar Philosophical Center. Only private buses and taxis are
available from Desur or Kilputhur. Bus commuters has to walk approximately one
kilometer from main road to reach Thirakoil. Thirakoil Village is located at
about 70 Kms away from Thiruvannamalai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Kanchipuram
(60 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at
Pondicherry and Chennai.
References