The
Visit to this Jain temple (Jinalaya) was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu and Amman
Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”, on 13th July 2024. This
Jain temple is dedicated to Shri Chandraprabha Tirthankara, the 8th
Tirthankara of 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism.
Main
Deity: Chandraprabha Tirthankara
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…
The
temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram base. Manasthambam, Balipeedam, and
Dwajasthambam are after the entrance. Two stucco Dwarapalakas are at the
entrance of Ardha mandapam. The Main Deity Shri Chandraprabha Tirthankara is in
a sitting posture. Sasana Devas are on three sides of the entrance to the
sanctum sanctorum. Brass metal images of Tirthankaras Parshvanath, Adhinath,
Dharma Deva, Yaksha, and Yakshis are in the ardha mandapam.
Koshtas
are empty. Dharma Deva’s idol is on the Southeast corner, abutting the sanctum
sanctorum wall.
Dharma Deva
ARCHITECTURE
The
Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The
sanctum sanctorum is on a Padmapeedam, and adhistanam is of Pada bandha
adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts
with vedikai. Vishnu kantha pilasters with a square base and Nagabandham, kalasam,
kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists
of Valapi, Kapotam and Viyyalavari. The
Temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The superstructure, Vimanam is of eka tala Vesara style built with brick and lime mortar. The
stucco images of Tirthankaras are in the greeva kostam. Yaksha and Yakshis are
also in the greevam.
The
jagathy around the sanctum sanctorum has the bas reliefs of Dancers, Musicians,
etc, which is another unique feature of this temple. It
was told that no major renovations were carried out on the stone structure and
only some repairs and painting were done of the stucco Vimanam from the date of
temple construction. Since no major renovations were carried out, the stones
used are not uniform, both colour and quality. The pilasters, base, and upper
parts do not synchronize, and the two pilasters are not similar/identical (which
are front side). Moreover, “No Tirthankaras” basreliefs are found in this
temple.
As
per the experts, the components do not belong to 1903, but much earlier ie 10th
to 11th Century, Rajathiraja-I, Period. The temple may be
constructed using some other old temple’s parts, dismantled, and brought from
elsewhere.
Miniature sculptures on the jagathy
The pilasters, base, and upper parts do not synchronize, and the two pilasters are not similar/identical
The pilasters, base, and upper parts do not synchronize, and the two pilasters are not similar/identical
Yazhivari and Vettu pothyal on the mandapa pillars, usually seen on the prastaram / bhumidesam
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
This
is a private temple, built in 1903 by Mr Vasubalan, an Advocate. Consecration
of the Panchakalyan was conducted in 1905.
Some
18th to 20th-century fragments and damaged inscriptions are found on
the sanctum sanctorum wall and Rajagopuram base. Only a few letters could be identified.
Now
the temple is being taken care of by Mr Vasubalan’s descendant Mr Ravi, who is
an auditor.
As
per one of the trustees, Mr. Vasubalan had left a will, in that 10 acres of
land and a House, in favor of this temple.
Mr. Vasubalan the founder of this temple.
These 19th -20th Century inscriptions are not relevant to this temple
These 19th -20th Century inscriptions are not relevant to this temple
LEGENDS
Chandrabrabha
Tirthanka was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi, at Chandrapuri
near Varanasi. He lived for 10 lakhs years and measures to a height of 150 bows
(450 meters). He renounced this worldly life, soon after accession to the throne,
and after three months did meditation under the Naga tree and obtained the
Kevala Gnana and attained nirvana later. The yaksha and Yakshi of Shantinatha
are Syama and Jvalamalinī according to Digambara tradition and Vijaya and Bhṛkuṭi
according to Svetambara tradition
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from two kala regular poojas, special poojas are conducted during Mahavir
Jayanthi and other Jainism festivals.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open around 07.00 hrs for morning poojas and 17.00 hrs for
the evening Poojas.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Ravi
CA +91 98424 22951 and +91 94432 22951, Prem +91 86376 79435 and +91
94436 50929
HOW
TO REACH
This
Jain temple is on Ramasamy Koil West Street, about 2.1 KM from Kumbakonam bus
Stand, 2.7 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 34 KM from Mayiladuthurai, and
37 KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Miniature sculptures on the jagathy
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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