The Visit to this Sri Adinathar Digambar Jain temple was a part of “Gajaprsihta / Gajabrushta Vimana Shiva temple at Vallam and Jain Temples at Ponnur and Ponnur Hills Visit”, on 22nd October 2023. This is one of the oldest Jain temples of Tiruvannamalai District in Tamil Nadu, Ponnur where the temple is still under worship. Ponnur was also called as Swarnapuram.
Moolavar : Sri Adinatha
Some of the salient features of the temple are…
The temple is facing east on raised level of about 10 feet from the ground with an access through steps. Dwajasthambam base, Balipeedam and manasthambam are in front of the temple. Moolavar Adhinathar is in sitting posture. Samaradharis are on both side and mukkudai is on the top. A prarabhai is shown on back of his head and a thindu is also shown on the back. Parshvanath is in the mukha mandapam.
In praharam, Brahma Devar, Elephant and an Amman is on the wall and Kund Kund Acharya, Navagrahas. Bahubali statue was erected and the structure is under construction.
Acharya Kund Kund
Pada
CONSTRUCTION
The temple complex was built about 10 feet above the ground level. Steps are on the north side to climb up. The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is of two tiers on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, Muppattai kumudam and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The Pilasters are of brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai and Poo mottu pothyal. The Kostas are of sala style.
The Prastaram consists of Valapi with lotus petals, kapotam with nasi kudus and viyyalavari. The nasikudus are with Keerthi mukhas and bhutas images are at the centre. Some of the bhutas are with thiruman on their forehead ( may be constructed during Vijayanagaras period ). The Vimana above Bhumidesam is of vesara style. Tirthankara’s images are in the Tala and greeva Kostas. Simhas are on the greevam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the inscriptions this Jain temple belongs to 13th century or even earlier. The same may be reconstructed during Vijayanagara period.
Ref
“A book on Reading History with the Tamil Jains : A Study on Identity memory and… Vandavasi ( Wandiwash of the Colonial Times) and Ponnur, North Arcot: 2003, by R Umamaheswari.
R Umamaheswari says… There were around 150 Tamil Jaina families settled here, I was informed and population of approximately 700-1000. This seemed, by far, the largest concentration of this community in one place that I had visited. They were all educated, and most of them were employed in different sectors ( private and public ). People gathered every week on a Friday evening ( I met them too, on a Friday evening ) at the Jaina temple here. I was told that I must pay a visit to Ponnur malai, which was not very far from Vandavasi. That was the most frequented sacred site for the people residing in Vandavasi.
The 1256 CE, 7th reign year of Maravarman Vikrama Pandya ( ARE 415 of 1928-1929 ). Adinatha temple - Records that the nattavar of Vidalparru assigned taxes payable by those settling in the paļļi viļakam of Adinatha, to provide for worship and repairs. ( Ekambaranathan 1987, p. 244)
The 1733 CE, inscription at Adinatha temple ( ARE 415 of 1928-1929 ).
Jainas of Svarnapura 2 Kanakagiri should take images of Parsvanatha and Jvalamalini amman from temple of Adisvara every Sunday to Nilagiriparvata situated to the north-west of the temple at the time of the weekly worship of Helacarya. ( Ibid. p. 245). ( The Hill Nilagiri arvata mentioned here may be the Ponnur Hills ).
Desai writes,
Svarnapura is evidently identical with Ponnur. The Nilagiri Hill which also figures in the legend of Helacharya has still retained the name, being three miles away from Ponnur. The icons of Parsvanatha and Jvalamalini mentioned in the epigraph are probably the metallic images preserved in the temple of Adinatha to the present day or their earlier substitute... Judging from the earlier Jaina inscriptions found here and the tradition connecting it with Heļacharya Ponnur appears to have been a renowned stronghold of Jainism from earlier times ( Desai, Epigraphia Indica, XXIX, p. 202).
Sanskrit name of Ponnur, Ep. Ind, Vol XXIX, p.199ff-'Helacarya monk of Dravida gana, native of Hemagrama, Ponnur. Helacarya's feet carved on Nilagiri hill, north-west of the Jaina temple'.
Believed to be the 2nd tallest ( 24 Feet ) Bahubali statue was installed at this temple in presence of Thirumalai Arakanthgiri Jain Math Dr Dhavala Keerthi Bhattaraka Bhattacharya Swamigal, 0n 10th May 2023.
There is a 18th to 19th Century inscription tablet installed at the base of the temple.
The Pancha kalyana Prathishta mahostava memorial keerthi sthamba was installed on the ground level 08th June 1997 to 12th June 1997.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 05.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +91 97914 12241 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
Ponnur is on the south west of Vandavasi, can be approached from Vandavasi to Polur Road and Vandavasi to Tindivanam road. 10 KM from Vandavasi, 41 KM from Tindivanam & Acharapakkam and 133 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Acharapakkam & Tindivanam
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
