Vazhuthalangunam Jain Cave Temple, Thiruvannamalai
Vazhuthalangunam
Jain Cave Temple located at Vazhuthalangunam Village on Thiruvannamalai to
Gingee Route in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. A hillock is at one
corner of Vazhuthalangunam village called as Vazhuthalangunam hill/
Panchapandavar hill / Mattaparai by the locals. It is an historical importance
place of Jain heritage. It has Jain Sages cavern and bas relief.
On the
southern side of the hillock a natural cavern at the mid of the hill consists
of several beds of various length and a rectangular platform at the center. The
prime saint of the Jains might have used as preaching dais. It can be dated to
the same age of Andimalai cavern i.e 8 - 9th Century AD. The Jains
not only preached the Jainism but also treated the people from diseases.
On the
fore-head of the canopied rock, a bas-relief of a Jinar was engraved
beautifully. It has broad shoulder, wider chest, gracious face, throne, two
whisk Devars on both side, and tri-umbrella over the head and three branches of
Peepal tree are carved marvelously. All features indicate it belongs to the 9th
Century AD art.
At the
bottom of the relief an inscription can be found. It conveys that the place was
referred as Menthaaraiyur and the relief named as Maruthu Pirai devar was
masked by lime mortar to protect from erosion. The Jinar relief is referred as
Shri Adhinathar. The surrounding village Jains constructed foot steps to reach
the cavern by getting donations from the devotees. And also they conduct poojas
for the rock temple occasionally.
Vazhuthalangunam
is located at about 22 kms from Thiruvannamalai town towards Gingee road. Take
a north turn at Somasipadi village on this route to reach this Village. Nearest
Railway Station is located at Thiruvannamalai. Nearest Airport is located at
Chennai.
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