Mel Sitamur Jain Temple, Thirunathar Kundru, Nekkanur Patti, Mel Olakkur, Pasumalai Padukai / Thondur, Anantha Sayana Perumal temple, Thondur, Gingee, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 18, February 2015.

We have traveled from the prehistoric to the latest epigraphic places around Gingee near Thiruvannamalai on 15^th February 2015. The Jain religion was spread widely between Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai. Thirunathar Kundru,  Nekanurpatti, Nekanur, and Thondur are the places we visited Through the R.E.A.C.H foundation and was guided by Mr Ramachandran, The Epigraphist and Mr Vakula Varadharajan, the historian. During the journey, we learned a lot from Mr. Ramachandran & Mr Vakula Varadharajan. They explained the history and importance of each place.

As usual, we started our journey late by 30 minutes. On the way, we had our breakfast and purchased fresh vegetables from a farm at a cheaper rate. Our journey route was Mel Sithamur Gingee – Thirunathar Kundru- Gingee- Nekanur Patti – Mel Olakkur – Thondur. The details are as follows.

MEL SITHAMUR.

We visited Sri Bhagavan Parshvanath, a Jain Temple managed by Jena Kanchi Jain Mutt.

The temple looks like a Hindu temple with Rajagopuram, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, Manasthambam moolavar vimanam, Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the sanctum,  etc,.

Sannadhis for Sri Dharma Devi, Sri Neminath the 20^th Tirthankara, relative to Lord Sri Krishna, Sri Brahma Devar, Sri Jena Vani, Sri Gananathar, Sri Padmavathi Devi with snake hood above head, Sri Jwala Malini Devi, and Navagrahas, not the Suryan, Sani, etc.

The Temple was built after the 13^th century. But a recent year’s epigraph is available at the entrance of Rajagopuram.

The archakar recites mantras in Sanskrit.

In two places pot of water was kept for pigeons. Mr. Vakula Varadharajan pointed out that one portion of the vimanam is called Kaboothar means pigeon in Hindi, where pigeons used to stay.

HOW TO REACH :

On the Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai, before Gingee a place called Vallam, Nattarmangalam Koot Road from there Mel Sithamur is 2 KM

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

Rajagopuram

Rajagopuram, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam 

Sri Parshvanathar Sannadhi vimanam

 Sri Parshvanathar Sannadhi 

Sri Dharma Devi Sannadhi 

Chakra relief on the Dwajasthambam base. 

THIRUNATHAR  KUNDRU.

This is a Jain monument under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) on a Kundru with recently laid steps to climb up.

There is a Vatteluthu inscription. The 8th-century inscription describes that a Jain monk called Eesura Badarar passed away after  30 days of fasting without food and water.

The Brahmi epigraph of the 6^th century describes that a Jain Monk called Chandra Nandhi passed away 57 days after fasting without food and water.

  

There is a natural cave. Near that there are 24 Tirthankaras reliefs on a big rock.

HOW TO REACH :

The place Thirunathar Kundru is on the Gingee to Singavaram main road.

LOCATION OF THIS PLACE:    CLICK HERE

  Climbing up to the Kundru

 CAVE 

 TAMIL VATTEZHU INSCRIPTION (One reads as

ஐம்பத் தேழன சனந நோற்ற சந்திர நந்தி ஆ சீரீகரு  நிசீதிகை ( Chandira nandhi Jain monk who passed away after 57 days fasting. This is in Tamil Vattezhuthu.)

முப்பது நாளன  சன நோற்ற  இஸிர படாரர் நிசீதிகை ( The Jain monk who passed away after 30 days fasting - This is Tamil Vattezhuthu) 

 24 Tirthankara’s relief 

NEGANUR PATTI

This place is called ‘ADUKKU MALAI’ otherwise Adukkuparai by the locals. There is no proper approach road to this place. At one point our van got struck up between two rocks and we reached the spot by walk.

This monument is of three individual big rocks sitting one on the other. The Brahmi/ Tamizhi script is available on the base big rock. The inscription describes the construction of a school. The inscription belongs to the 4^th century. 

Under the big rock, there is a prehistoric painting. Still looks good in white color. This is estimated to be from 1000 BCE.

There is no fencing to safeguard this monument and there is no sign or warning board.

HOW TO REACH :

The Place Neganur Patti is on the Road Melakkalvai to Neganur, turn right before right and the Adukku Parai about 2 KM.

LOCATION OF THE PLACE: CLICK HERE

 பெரும் பொகழ் சேக்கந்தி தாயயிரு சேக்கந்தண்ணி  சேயி வித்த பள்ளி(About construction of a school by his anni (brother's wife ))

 The Prehistoric paintings from 1000 BCE

 ADDUKKU PARAI

 OUR TEAM 

Murugan temple between rocks 

We had our lunch under a neem tree on the roadside. The local ladies helped us with water to wash our hands. After lunch, we proceeded towards Thondur through the villages – Neganur – Eechur – Amma Kulam – Mukkunam – Mel Olakkur. At Mel Olakkur we had seen two reliefs installed on the roadside.

MEL OLAKKUR 

The one is Jyeshta Devi ( Moodevi or Mootha Devi ) with her daughter Agni Matha and her son Mandhan Locals call this Durgai Amman or Ellai Amman  ( Limit point for the village ).

The other one is a Three warriors holding sword and kedayam. This is a Nadukal / Hero Stone for the warriors who lost their lives in a war.

This is very much similar to the relief found at Chunambedu. As per the historians, both reliefs are from the 6^th century. 

LOCATION OF JYESTHA DEVI BAS-RELIEF:  CLICK HERE    

 Jyesta Devi with her daughter Agni Matha and Son Manthan

A Hero Stone / Nadu kal  for warriors 

PASUMALAI PADUKAI. ( THONDUR )

This is a Jain monument with a Jain monk relief and 3 beds. The Brahmi inscriptions are not legible to read. From the document, The Samanar beds are chiseled by Mosi as per the instruction of Senkayan.  The Brahmi / Tamizhi inscriptions are between 200 to 300 CE.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE:  CLICK HERE 

 The three Pasumalai padukai ( Bed )

 The inscription is not legible 

Document of the Epigraph ( first one ) 

ஸேந்காயியன் ஏவ அகழ் ஊரறம்  மோசி செயித அதிடானம் !!!  - As per Senkayan's instruction Mosi has done 3 samanar beds 

Then we proceeded towards Thondur via Mel Olakkur which was about 3 KM from Mel Olakkur.

THONDUR

Anantha Sayana Perumal was chiseled on a huge rock amid a paddy field. Perumal is in Anantha sayanam on Adhiseshan ( 5 hood snake )  keeping head on the left side which is rare. In the neck, the throat is not visible instead the surface is smooth. The ‘Kireedam‘/ Crown is of Cambodian style hence this was chiseled by Pallavas and has a connection to Cambodia ( ?). This bas-relief was chiseled during the year 780 CE. In front of Perumal’s, there is another inscription stone installed in the form of a Tablet.

The inscription at the feet of Perumal belongs to Thandhi Varman's 6th reign year. The inscription records the endowment of rice naivedyam to this Perumal ( mentioned as Badarar ) by Vinnakovarayar. For the same 16 Kalanju Gold was gifted. 

  

There is a separate inscription tablet erected in front with a bow & arrow. This inscription belongs to Chozha King Aditha Karikalan ( Pandiyan Thalai Konda ). The inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp to this Kidantha Perumal, by Singapura Nattu ( present Gingee area ) Keelvazhi Thondu living Thirukannan's son Perumandradi. For the same 10 Sava moova Peradu was gifted. 

LOCATION OF THE PLACE: CLICK HERE 

 Anantha Sayana Perumal  in the midst of a paddy field.

Anantha Sayana Perumal – Unusual posture head on the left side

It was over by 17.30 Hrs and everybody was exhausted. Started our return journey to Chennai Via Vandavasi. Really it was a pleasant tour. Mr Ramanathan had coordinated nicely with a good breakfast and Lunch. Thanks to all the participants. My special thanks to Mr. Ramachandran and Mr. Vakula Varadharajan, who feed us the history of each place. I also extend thanks to REACH Mr Sathyamoorthy and J Chandra for organizing such a wonderful tour.  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---