Sri 1008 Bhagwan Mahaveer Digambar Jain Temple / ஸ்ரீ 1008 பகவான் மகாவீரர் திகம்பர் சமணர் கோயில் / Vembakkam, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Mahaveer Jain temple. At Vembakkam was a part of visit to the Temples and heritage sites around Kanchipuram, scheduled on 10^th July 2021. It was not planned to Visit this temple at Vembakkam earlier and the same was combined with the Ayyangarkulam Nadavavi and Thirupanangadu Sri Thalapureeswarar Temple. This Samanar Jinalaya is on the way to Sri Ramanadheswarar, Shiva Temple of the same Village.

Moolavar  : Sri Mahavir

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

This Jinalaya is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Tirthankaras and Yakshis are on it. Balipeedam is after the Rajagopuram on a raised pedestal to match the height of Mahavir.  Moolavar Mahavir is in sitting Posture. Samaratharis / whisk bearers are on both sides. A Thiruvasi is shown on back of Mahavir. There is koshta images.

In prakaram Brahma Devar, Samasaranam, Dharmadevi, Padmavathi and Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, Antarala and artha mandapam / Mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are in artha mandapam / Mukha mandapam to Sanctum entrance.  A Single tier vesara Vimana is on the Sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The sthala purana of  Azhividaithangi / Bhairava Puram Bhairavar temple, during ancient times the Buddhist Kings converted the Thondai mandalam, Thondakarunyam  forests in to a habitation place and ruled. They established School in this place and Students from North India also came for study. During 3^rd Century CE, Heema Seethana King’s period, the Jain scholar Asulangar called the Buddhist and won over the Debate. The Buddhist were chased out of the Kingdom. The Jains started Jain Schools. During this period this place was called as “Aravazhithangi”. Since Vembakkam is about 5 KM from Azhividaithangi, Azhividaithangi may be a part of this place Vembakkam.

Considering the above sthala purana, the original temple might have existed since 3^rd century CE. The temple might have reconstructed many times, but as the records reconstructed in 1989. Latter Panchakalyan in 2001,by installation ( re-installation …?) of Mahavir image.  After renovation Panchakalyan was performed in the year 2015.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja special poojas are conducted on Mahavir Jayanti and other important days associated with Jainism.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru kala pooja is conducted, the closing and opening times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Ayyathurai Nayinar, of Vembakkam may be contacted for further details. Kumar +91 9843500727 and +91 9790192012

HOW TO REACH

The temple is  4 KM from Thirupanangadu, 8 KM from Ayyangarkulam, 17 KM from Kanchipuram, 43 KM from Vandavasi and 90 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

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