17th
November 2019.
The
visit to this Jain cave was a part of
Thirumukkudal Temples Visit scheduled on 16th and 17th
November 2019. The was not in our agenda. After Devikapuram, Sri Periyanayaki Amman
Temples Visit our next plan was to visit Gingee fort. On the way after seeing
the yellow board, Mr Gandhi Rajan suggested to visit this Jain Cave and
Parshvanath Tirthankara. Since we didn’t visited earlier Mr Gandhi Rajan guided
us to this natural Cave, which can accommodate about 10 persona, where Parshvanath
Tirthankara was carved. The locals call this Parshvanath as “Ammana katta Samy –
அம்மன கட்ட
சாமி“
( in Tamil Ammanam means a person without dress ) or Nainar Samy, since, Tamil Jains
in these area are called as Nainars. ( understand there some caste like section is there in Tamil Jains also ).
The
cave is a smooth and naturally formed one. The Parshvanath bas-relief is carved about 3 feet above the ground level facing east. The Tirthankara bas-relief is
about 4 feet high and 2 feet wide. The 5 hooded snake is shown above his head. A
platform with steps was constructed in front of Parshvanath to do pooja and
abhishekam. The cave flooring was also done on 22nd April 2004. As
per the inscription tablet this Parshvanath bas-relief is 1925 years old and the cave was
once used by the munis. It was told that a Jain school was also functioned during 7th to 8th Century.
It
was observed that Jains are doing pooja once in a while and offering rice.
Ahimsa walk was also conducted to this cave.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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