Jain Tirthankaras found during field study (2009-2011)

While carrying out field work in connnection with my research on Buddhism in Chola country - from 1993 to 2003, I found many Jain Tirtankara sculptures. As I was not in a position to add more information about them, I gave a brief about them in my Ph.D. thesis entitled Chola Nattil Bautham [Buddhism in the Chola Nadu], Tamil University, Thanjavur, December 1999.  

Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Kariyankudi, Kottaimedu, Sengangadu, Perumatthur, Thanjavur

During field study I found Jain Tirttankara statues in  Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Height 20"), Kariyankudi near Taplampuliyur (16"), Kottaimedu near Alangudipatti in Pudukkottai (40"), Sengangadu in Tirutturaippundi taluk (16"), Perumatthur in Kunnam taluk (24"),  and near Moola Hanuman Temple in Thanjavur (34"). In Kottaimedu the Jain is known as Sivanathar. In Sengangadu the statue is worshipped as Buddha. (B.Jambulingam, "Chola Nattil Bautham" [Buddhism in the Chola Nadu], Tamil University, Thanjavur, 1999, p.160). 

I alongwith Mr G.Thillai Govindarajan identified many Tirthankara statutes while carrying out the project (Jainism in Thanjaur District, Tamil Nadu, Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Vicoria & Alber Museum, New Delhi, May 2010), for which I was the Supervisor During our combined field study we found Jain Tirthankaras in Serumakkanallur (Thanjavur district), Suraikkudipatti (Thanjavuar district), Panchanathikkulam (Nagapattinam district) and Doli (Tiruvarur district). These statues were found while carrying out and they appeared on many dailies. This article deals with those Jain Tirthankara statues and others found during that period. 

  

Serumakkanallur (June 2009)

Based on the information given by Mr.Ayyampet Selvaraj we carried out field study and identified a Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara statue in Serumakkanallur of Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district. It was found in Sabari Mukkayi Amman Thidal in Puliyankudi. Having a height of 3' and a breadth of 21/2' it was in padmasana sitting posture and is in mediation. It has a lion throne, chamara bearers, triple umbrella and a tree. The face and the top portion of the umbrella are broken. The sculpture belongs to the later Chola period. It has elongated ears and closed eyes and is in Tikambara posture. An inscription states that a government official Sirimakkanallur Kanniveran lived here. Another incriptin shows the areas were under the control o the Cholas and Jainism was widely prevalent. The local worship this sculpture as Karuppasamy and offer goat sacrifice. Daily worship is done and special pujas are conducted on Fridays in the Tamil month of Adi. 

Suraikkudipatti (February 2010)

A Jain Tirthankara was identified during field study in Suraikkudipatti in Budalur block of Tiruvaiyaru taluk in Thanjavur district. It is found in the Ayyanar temple near Budalur. Having a height of 3 1/4' and a breadth of 21/2' it was found on a pedestal on sitting dhyana posture on the ion throne. At the rear side of the sculpture yakshas are found in standing posture. Triple umbrella is found above the head. It has elongated ears and closed eyes and is in Tikambara posture.  It belongs to later Chola period. A Pallava inscription found in Ponvilainthanpatti which is very near to this place records about the prevalence of Jainism here. From this it is understood that since th period of Pallavas Jainism was prevalent in this area. 

 

Panchanathikkulam (August 2010)  

From a newspaper report (Dinamani, Tamil Daily, 17.8.2010) it was learnt that a stone - possibly a sculpture of Jain or Buddha - was used for washing clothes in Mulliyar at Panchanathikkulam in Vedaranyam taluk of Nagapattinam district. In order to identify the sculpture we carried out field work in the area. Based on the iconographical aspects - though without head - it was confirmed that it was a Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara.It was found without head.It was in sitting dhyana posture. Yakshas were found on either side. On the right side of the pedestal a lion was found.

Doli (November 2011)

Based on an information we carried out field study and found a Jain Tirthankara at Doli near Sangenthi in Tirutturaippundi-Muthupet road of Tiruvarur district. This sculpture was found in sitting posture and in dhyana. Lion throne, yakshas and triple umbrella were found in this sculpture. It has elongated ears and closed eyes. Praba is found behind the head. This sculpture belongs to later chola period. This sculpture was also in thikampara posture.

During field study it was learnt that all these sculptures had many iconograpical aspects of Jain Tirthankara such as triple umbrella, yakshas, lion throne, closed eyes and elongated ears. They were in thikampara and were in sitting dhyana posture. These findings vouchsafe the fact that like Buddhism, Jainism was also prevalent widely in the Chola country.

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Thanks:  Mr. Ayyampet Selvaraj and Mr G.Thillai Govindarajan and Dailies  

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Updated on 12 March 2025.