This
visit to Padur Pond Tirthankara was planned on 3rd March 2019, about
2 weeks before. When Mr. Ramanuja Moulana, the founder of Cycling Yogis called
me for this visit, I readily accepted it. We met at Padur decathlon on OMR around
08.30 hrs and he guided me to see this
Tirthankara.
The
Tirthankara was found submerged in the pond water up to his hip. He is in meditating
posture with two whisk bearers on both sides. Mukkudai with ashoka Tree/ creeper leaves are
shown above the head of the Tirthankara.
HISTORY OF THIS TIRTHANKARA.
This
Tirthankara may belongs to 08 to 10th Century found abandoned in the
north west corner of the Padur pond. The presence of this Tirthankara is an
indication that there was a Jains Temple in this place. As per the history Jainism was flourished in
10th Century around Chennai and Kanchipuram.
When
the statue was upside down, the locals used as a washing stone. This
Tirthankara was identified around 2011. When Tamil Jains wished to construct a
small shrine out side the Padur Pond, it was resisted by the Padur Panchayat
President ( former ) Mr Chinnakutti and
his people. Several attempts were made to take it out side, but all become
useless. Initially the Locals believe this statue was a “Bhooth / Demon” and now they
call it as Buddha. The nearby Shiva Temple priest claims that Tirthankara is a
Shiva in meditating posture with angels, sun and moon on the top. Let us pray that this
Tirthankara to come out one day from this Padur pond and bless us.
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
Superb uncle! I must visit this place next time in Chennai.
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