Jainism in Kerala
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Jainism |
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Medieval Jain inscriptions are mostly found on the borders of Kerala proper, such as in Wayanad in the north-east,
Some of the Jain temples in Kerala were incorporated by the Hindus at a later stage. The temple images are worshiped as Hindu gods and considered as part of the Hindu pantheon. It is not uncommon for Hindus and Jains to worship their deities in the same temple.[1]
History
Jainism in Iron-age/early historic Kerala
It is possibility that Jainism arrived in modern-day Kerala in the third century BCE soon after
A number of caves, donated by the early historic Chera chieftains to the Jains, can be found in the Karur-Pugaliyur region of western Tamil Nadu. Utiyan Cheral Atal, a Chera chieftain, is stated to have (Akam 55, Puram 65 and 66) died by starvation through a practice (the vattakku-irikkal) similar to the Jain sallekhana vrata. Utiyan Cheral was wounded on the back by his Chola rival Karikala in a battle.[1]
Late medieval to early modern Kerala
Whether it was the same as the kottam at Kunavay or not, epigraphical evidence suggests that the shrine at Tirukkunavay was the major Jain temple in Kerala. It is assumed that the so-called "Rules of the Tirukkunavay Temple" provided model and precedent for all other Jain temples of medieval Kerala. A dating system known as the Tirukkunavay Era was also present during this period.[1]
Inscriptions mentioning the Tirukkunavay[1]
- Tiruvannur/Tirumannur Inscription: royal order of the Chola emperor Rajaraja I (c. 1044 CE), from Tiruvannur Temple, near Calicut (the temple is a now Siva temple)[1]
- Alathur (Godapuram) Inscription (c. 11th century) - Images of Mahavira with the Gandharvas, and Parsvanatha have been recovered from Alattur.[1]
- Talakkavu Inscription: from Talakkavu in Putadi, Wynad (dated in the 137th year of the Tirukkunavay Era ~ dated to c. 850 CE). The location of the Jain temple is now lost to the scholars.[1]
- Kinalur Inscription (1083 CE) - connects Kota Ravi "Vijayaraga" (c. 883 - 913 CE),[1] the Chera king at Kodungallur, with "Kunvay-Nallur". The location of the Jain temple is now lost to the scholars.[1]
Based on the Talakkavu Temple Inscription, it is calculated that the Tirukkunavay Temple was founded some time at the close of the 7th or the beginning of the 8th century CE. It seems that by 15th century, the Tirukkunavay Temple was transformed to a Siva temple (Kokasandesa, slokas 47-48). The deity of Kunaka is called "Purari" in the poem Kokasandesa. The location of the temple is now lost to the scholars (the temple was probably destroyed completely in late medieval period).[1]
The Chathurmukha Basati, Manjeshwar near Bengere traces its history to patronage to Jainism given by a jain dynasty present in the region in 12th century. This temple got modified to present stature in late 18th century.
Other Hindu temples in Kerala with Jain characteristics are
- Parsvanatha can be found in the temple.[1]
- Paruvasseri, Peechi (Palliyara Kavu Bhagavati Temple)[1]
- Kaviyoor Guha Kshetram , Pathanamthitta district, Bhagavati Temple, Tiruccanattu Malai, Chitharal, Kulithura - Images of Mahavira, Devi (destroyed) and Parsvanatha can be found in the temple.[1]
Jainism in modern Kerala
Some Jain shrines from early historic and medieval times still remain, notably in
Photo gallery
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Visnugudi Basadi Jain Temple, Panamaram
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Jain art & carvings atChitharal Jain Temple
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Chitharal Jain Temple
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Jain temple in Manjeshwar
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Jain temple, Alleppey
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Shri Vasupujya Swami Jain Temple
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Narayanan, M. G. S. Political and Social Conditions of Kerala Under the Cēra Perumāḷs of Makōtai (c. AD 800 - AD 1124). Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 340-42.
- ^ Sreedhara Menon, A. (1 January 1980). Cultural heritage of Kerala: an introduction - A. Sreedhara Menon. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
External links
External videos | |
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Documentary on Jainism in Kerala | |
Documentary on Jain temples in Kerala |