Chitharal Jain Monuments

Chitharal Jain Temple

Chitharal Jain Temple, Tamil Nadu
Name
Other names: Thirucharanathupalli
Location
Country: India
State/province: Tamil Nadu
District: Kanyakumari district
Locale: Marthandam
Architecture and culture
Important festivals: Mahavir Jayanti
Number of temples: 1
Date established: 9th century A.D.

The Chitharal Jain Monuments are the ruins of a Jain training centre from the 9th century CE, on a small hill in Chitharal village, Tamil Nadu.

Monuments

The monuments are located in the small village of Chitharal, Tamil Nadu, which lies 7 km from Marthandam and 55 km from Kanyakumari.

Chitharal is historically known as Thirucharanathupalli – the abode of Jain monks belonging to the Digambara sect. It is famous for the hillock which has a cave containing rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside dating back to the 9th century.[1][2] Among the rock-cut relief sculptures is a figure of the goddess Dharmadevi.[3] Jain influence in this region was due to the King Mahendravarman I (610-640).

Gallery

See also

References

  1. Anon (2005). Tourist Guide to South India. Sura Books. pp. 128129.
  2. Rangarajan, H; Kamalakar, G; Reddy, AKVS; Venkatachalam, K (2001). Jainism: Art, Architecture, Literature & Philosophy. Sharada. p. 43.
  3. Shah, Umakant P (1987). Jaina Iconography. Abhinav Publications. p. 251.

External links