The remains of Jainism at Vasalurpatti, Karaiyankattu Patti, Melkalingam of Kolli Hills / Kollimalai, கொல்லிமலை, in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Tirthankara images and Temples at Kolli Hills was a part of the Kolli Hills Heritage Walk  - “வல்வில் ஒரி தேச மரபு நடை..” organized by எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடை குழு, on 20^th and 21^st May 2023. Thanks to A T Mohan for taking us to these Jainism heritage sites. 

 

The presence of Tirthankara images on many parts of the Kolli Hills indicates that Jainism was flourished in a large extent during the 6^th to 10^th Century in Kolli region. Even after 1000 years, ie after the Jainisam faced its downfall, still many villages of Kolli Hills are not met with basic amenities like medical, transport, etc. We could not imagined the services rendered to the Villagers / Hill tribes by the Jain monks, who lived in this hills region and practiced Jainism.  

Tirthankara Image at Vasalurpatti, Kolli Hills.

This Tirthankara is under a naval Tree in the midst of a plantain farm. This Tirthankara is facing east in a sitting posture. This Tirthankara is in the form of an idol. The samaratharis and mukkudai might have been a separate attachment. Tirthankara has with elongated earlobe and a beautiful smile on his face.  Tirthankara might have been installed in a small sanctorum.

LOCATION OF THE TIRTHANKARA IMAGE: CLICK HERE

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Ancient Jain Idol - Karaiyankattu Patti / ஆன்சியண்ட் ஜெயின் ஐடால் - கரையான்காட்டு பட்டி /Karaiyankattupatti, Kolli Hills.

This Jain temple is just above the Village, inside the pepper creeper forest facing east. This Jain temple was built on stone pada bandha adhistanam and the sanctum sanctorum was built with bricks and the ceiling is covered with stone slabs. A small balipeedam was constructed in recent years.

The Tirthankara is sitting on a simha asanam. A mukkudai is shown over his head and Samaratharis are shown on both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TIRTHANKARA       : CLICK HERE

Ancient Digambara Jain Temple /  பழமையான திகம்பர ஜைன திருத்தலம் / சமணாண்டி பாட்டன் / MelKalingam / மேல்கலிங்கம் / கொல்லிமலை / Kolli Hills.

These Tirthankara and Parsvanathar images are in a small Temple facing South, which is about 25 to 30 feet above the Road and on the other side of the road, the entrance to Ettukai / Kollipaavai Amman Temple.  The Locals call this Tirthankara Samanaandi Pattan ( Pattan - grandfather and Samanandi – Jain monk ).

 

The Tirthankara is in a meditating posture, with the hands on the lap, and palms facing up on a simha asanam. A Mukkudai is shown above his head and samaratharis / chowri bearers are shown on both sides.

 

The snake above Parshvanathar is found broken. Parshvanathar is in kayotsarga posture.

There is another sculpture in a fragment of stone, standing below the Parshvanathar. The Sculpture seems to be unfinished. May be Parshvanathar.

LOCATION OF THIS JAIN TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---