A Jain cave with Tirthankaras Bas-relief Panel, at Seeyamangalam, Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

26^th November 2017.

This 9th-century (892 CE) Jain rock-cut cave visit was part of a "Heritage Visit to Vallam, Pallava Period Rock cut caves, Thirumalpadi Vishnu Temple, and Seeyamangamlam Shiva Temple".

After the darshan of Sri Sthambeswarar at  Seeyamangalam Rock-cut cave temple, the Gurukkal advised us to visit this Jain cave also. This cave is on a small hillock called Vijayadri. There is a Bas-relief panel above the cave, and the cave is about 25 to 30 feet above the ground level, facing east. As per the Grantha inscriptions, the bas-relief was done during the 9^th century by the Ganga King Rajamalla II. 

The Bas-relief panel consists of Mahavir in Padmasana & meditating posture, Parshvanath under snake hood, and Bahubali with his sisters Bhrami and Sundari on both sides. Both Parshvanath and Bahubali are in a standing posture. Attendants Padmavati and Dharanendra are shown by the side of Parshvanath. Above Bahubali, two Gandharvas are holding boulders (samaram..?). Indran on an elephant is also shown on the right top of the panel above Bahubali.

 Mahavir in padmasana/ artha pariyangasana sitting posture on the left, Parshvanatha with Padmavati & Daranendra in the centre, and Bahubali with his sisters on the right.  

From the  Tamil & grantha inscription (mentioned as Dravida Sangam), it was understood that Nandi Sanga Jain monks lived here. A monk called Vajra Nandi, a disciple of Gunaviradevar, built steps to this cave. Those steps have been replaced by concrete in recent years, and a Mahaveer statue was also installed.

HOW TO REACH:

Seeyamangalam is about 130 km from Chennai and 66 km from Kanchipuram, and 25 km from Vandavasi via Mazhaiyur and Desur.

The town bus Route No 144  from Vandavasi to Gingee and a private Bus from Desur to Gingee pass through the village, and this Jain cave is about a km from the village.

Auto is also available from Desur. 

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Bahubali with his sisters and Indra on an elephant

  Old stone steps have been replaced with Concrete Steps

Mahavir 

The Team ( Pic – Mr Balasubramaniyan)

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---