Volume III Issue IV October-December 2023

Name of Author : Sulatha Rani V S

Title of the paper : The Chitharal Jain Temple: A Study on Art, Architechture and Sculpture

Abstract: Chitharal Jain Temple is an archaic monument and religious spot associated with Jains in the Southern most part of Kerala. It is located in the small village of Chitharal. Chitharal is historically known as Thirucharanathupalli, the abode of Jain monks belonging to Digambara sect. It is famous for the hillock which has a cave containing rock cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and deities. These carvings date back to the 9th century. Jain influence in this region was due to the Pallava King Mahendra Varman 1, who was a follower of Jainism. The king was famed for lending many such constructions particularly rock cut sculptures in cave temples. It was converted in to Bhagavathy temple in the 13th century A.D. It is a rock cut temple facing the west with a dilapidated gopuram. It is divided into three chambers. The presiding deity is Mahavira, sitting in padmasana posture and a triple umbrella in the central chamber. The huge image standing the left of Mahavira is Parswanath and in his right stands Padmavathi Devi. Epigraphic evidences shows that a reputed Jain university was once situated at Thirucharanathumalai. Presently this monument of the past Indian culture is being converted to Bhagavathy temple. Chitharal Bhagavathy Temple in the southern part of Travancore contains some inscriptions attesting to its Jaina antiquity. These inscriptions speak about the connection between jains of Southern Kerala and the ancient Jain centres of Madurai and Thoothukudi regions of Tamilnadu. There is an inscription, shows that the famous Ay king Vikramaditya Varaguna gave gifts of gold ornaments to the Goddess Padmavathi Devi. The inscriptions in the temple, its architecture and its mural paintings attract the attention of archaeologists, art lovers and devotees. This paper is an attempt to shed fresh light in to the dark corners of the history of Jainism in the state of Kerala, with particular emphasis on the Chitharal Jain Temple.

Keywords : Thirucharanathumalai, Jainism, Vikramadithya Varaguna, Karunandadakkan, Mahavira, Bhagavathy Temple

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Page No. : 35-39