Jain Tirthankaras and Jain monastery, Kalugumalai at Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu,

30^th June 2019.

It was planned to visit Kalugumalai after attending a friend’s daughter marriage at Thoothukudi on 30^th June 2019. It was around 14.30 Hrs when I landed at Kalugumalai and the Kalugachalamurthy temple was found closed for Uchi kala Pooja and it was told that the temple will be opened around 16.30 Hrs. Even-though I had been to Kalugumalai when I was in Thoothukudi,  this time want to visit on heritage point of view. At Kalugumalai I was fortunate to Join with the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation's Heritage walk, organized by Mr Rajaguru. After visiting the Vettuvan Koil,  trekked up to this Jain’s monument,  steps are provided from the base of the Hill. The Monument is being maintained by the Tamil Nadu State archaeological Department.

  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This monument was carved during 8^th Century Pandya King Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan ( 768- 800 CE ).  A Jain’s School, a monastery  and a Temple are functioned in this Kalugumalai during 8^th Century. There are about 120 and odd Tirthankara bas-reliefs carved in regular order. These Tirthankaras are carved in memory of the deceased Jain monks (Kuravar), disciples,  father, Mother, Sons, daughters, etc. The contributors names are inscribed below the reliefs in 8^th Century Tamil vattezhuthu. 

From the inscriptions the monks are called as Kuravars and females are called as Kuravadikal.  The bas-reliefs are done by the persons who holds the titles as Etti, Enathi, Kavithi etc. The Jains of the social higher order from about 32 near by Villages, which includes Kottaru, Mizhalur, Venbaikudi are responsible for engraving of these reliefs. The people from various communities like Carpenters, Sthapathis, Velans, who carryout the agriculture, pot makers, Smiths are also lived in the hill area. 

The details of some of the inscriptions are given below....

Inscriptions No 74, records that the image was caused to be made by Marampulli of Tirunechchuram. It also states that the required ghee for lighting a lamp in front of the image was supplied by Kiluran Rottan ( or Rottan of Kilur ).

Inscription No 89, ( ARE 54/1894, SII Vol V No 343 ), The last portion of this inscription obliterated very much, seems to record a gift of 1/4 pon, probably for lighting two lamps before the image. 

Inscription No 103 records that the stone pillar was erected by Sundaran, the stone-mason of Nechcharanadu, at the instance of bhattara who was conducting regular worship ( tiruppani ) to the Deity Araimalai Alvar Tirunechchuram. ( ARE 68/1894, SII Vol. V No 357 ). The presiding deity at Kalugumalai is referred to in the epigraph as Araimalai Alvar. The Hillock of this place bore the name Araimalai.

Inscription no 107, records some endowment made for the daily abhisheka and offerings to the deity, Araimalai Alvar, by Silankavidiyan- tennavan. Besides, it is also records the erection of a pillar in the same place by Perungovelan of Tirunechchuram. 

Inscription No 153, in Tamil vattezhuthu on a rock belongs to Pandya King Ko Maranjadaiyan ( Varaguna -II ),  3rd reign year ( 865 CE ), records the construction of a well and the gift of some land for providing food  to the ten Bhatarar expounding Siddhanta and Vairagiyar ( monks ) in the Tirumalai temple at Tirunechchuram by Siddhan of the Village at Kadantaikudi situated in Nallurtumbur KuRRam. The gift was entrusted with Gunasaharabhatara of Tirunechchuram. The Epigraph also refers to the names of some persons, probably connected with the endowment.

Inscription No 154, a fragmentary in Tamil vattezhuthu on a rock belongs to Pandya King Ko Maranjadaiyan ( Varaguna -II ),  3rd reign year ( 865 CE ), records some endowment to the deity known as Tirumalaidevar at Tirunechchuram by one Mahadevan, a resident of the Village Perunavalur, situated in Nallur- MilalaikuRRam, for feeding five Vairagiyar ( monks ) and Bhatarar who expounded siddhanta in the temple. The endowment was entrusted  with Gunasaharabhatarar of Tirunechchuram, who was probably the Chief among the monks looking after the Jaina establishments at Kalugumalai. 

It is interesting to observe that the Jaina ascetics were also called Vairagis. The monks are said to have expounded Siddhanta ( Jaina Philosophy ), probably to the laity. The Jaina establishments at Kalugumalai had been looked after by Gunasaharabhatara, the Chief among the monks.

The inscription No 155, a Tamil vattezhuthu, 9th to 10th Century character, on a stone slab lying near Aiyanar Temple, records the Sattankali of Kalakkudi mangalattuchcheri gifted 25 sheep for burning two perpetual lamps to the god, Bhatara, on the hill at Tirunechchuram. His disciple ( adiyar ) also gave 25 sheep for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple.  The presiding deity is called as "Tirumalaimel Bhatarar", in this records.      

Ref:

Jaina inscriptions of Tamil Nadu ( A Topographical List ), by Dr A Ekambaranathan Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras & Dr CK Sivaprakasam Department of History, AVVM Sri Pushpham College, Poondi, Thanjavur. 

ARCHITECTURE

In the bas reliefs  consists of individual Tirthankaras and Panels. ( The panels consists of Tirthankara, Yakshan, Yakshi, Samaratharis and mukkudai ) are for Mahavir, Ambika Yakshi, Parshvanath and Bahubali with his sisters and Padmavathy.

 Mahavir Tirthankara 

 Padmavathy Yakshi

 Ambika Yakshi

HOW TO REACH:

The place Kalugumalai is on the Kovilpatti to Sankarankovil bus route. All the buses will stop at Kalugasalamorrthy Bus stop from there this Jain monument is about a KM.

Kalugumalai is about 22 KM from Kovilpatti, 105 KM from Thoothukudi and 70 KM from Tirunelveli.

Nearest railway station is Kovilpatti.

LOCATION OF THE JAIN TIRTHANKARAS HILL : CLICK HERE

 Mahavir

 Mahavir

 Parshvanath

 Bahibali with his sisters

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---