Chitharal Jain Temple
Chitharal Malai Kovil
Chitharal Jain Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location within Tamil Nadu
Basic information
Location Marthandam, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates 8.3321348°N 77.2381845°E
Affiliation Jainism
Country India
Date established 9th century
Temple(s) 2
The Chitharal Jain Monuments; also known as Chitharal Malai Kovil (literally Temple on the Hill), Chitharal Cave Temple or Bhagwathi Temple, Chitral; are situated on the Thiruchanattu Malai (Thiruchanattu hillocks) near Chitharal village, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. Chitharal hills are locally known as Chokkanthoongi Hills.[1]
Monuments
Jain Bas-relief
There are two monuments. The earlier rock-cut Jain structure of beads with inscriptions and drip-ledges is the earliest Jain monument in the southern most part of India which was from first century BC to sixth century AD.[2]
A natural cavern formed by overhanging rock has a bas-relief sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras which were carved in later phase. The relief of Parshwanatha and Padmavati is standing figures canopied by multi-hooded cobra and with attendant figures of Yaksha. The figures seated in ardha-padmasana pose in each niches with three tiered parasol is that of other Tirthankaras (possibly of all 24 Tithankaras). there are three standing figures of Tirthankara in on of the left corner. The central niche has a figure of Mahavira with three tiered parasol, chhatratrayi chaitya with a tree above it and attendant figures. There is an another female figure of Ambika in a niche next to it. It has attendant figures including two children and a lion mount. All major niches has flying figures of Vidyadharas or worshippers. Each of this figures has a short inscription below the seat mentioning a name of donor and place in Vatteluthu Tamil script. Based on these inscription, it is known that the site was under control of Jains at least till middle of thirteenth century.[2][3][4]
The temple monuments were likely built by Digambara Jains in the ninth century when the region was under influence of Jainism.[3] Jain influence in this region was due to the King Mahendravarman I (610-640).[1]
The monuments are reached by roughly hewn steps in rocks and the narrow entrance between them. On the top of the hill, there in a cave temple with mandapa, a varandah corridor and a balipeetham with a kitchen (madappalli) which is carved into a natural overhanging rock facing the west. It has three sanctums which houses the Tirthankara (possibly Mahavira) in middle, goddess in the right and Parshwanatha on the left. The gopuram of the central shrine is destroyed possibly due to lightning. The temple was built in medieval period. There is an another temple-like structure (Vimana) on the top of the hill which is reached by climbing few steps. There is a natural pond few steps downwards.[3][5][6][7] Around 13th century, the cave temple was converted into Hindu temple of Bhagavati.[3][1] It is known by the Tamil script inscription on the entrance of the mandapa dated to 475 KE (1300 AD) which says Narayanan, Tamil Appalla Varaiyan of Rajavallapuram in the Kil Vembanadu donated some money for the expense of Bhagavati temple.[4]
According to T. A. Gopinatha Rao who visited the monuments in 1920-21, the inscription on the southern side says a Jain priestess called Gunandagi- kurattigal, the disciple of Arattanemi - Bhatariyar of Peravakkudi, presented Bhatariyar of Tiruchchanam malai with a metallic lamp stand and a golden flower during the 28th year of reign of Vikramaditya Varaguna Pandya. It was a Jain training centre for both males and females in past. The inscription is in old Tamil script known as Vatteluthu.[3][4][2]
The Travancore Archaeological Series says that Tiruchcharanattu malai, the name of the hills, means the hill of the Charanas. Charanas means Jain ascetics which were living on the hills. The votive images on the rock with inscription under each of it names an asce
THRIPARAPPU
Thriparappu water fall in kanyakumari falls in 300 feet long and consists of a rocky river bed.A small temple dedicated to lord siva is situated on the banks of the ruver.There are strong waterfall and fortification that surround the temple.
PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE
Padmanabhapuram Palace (Malayalam: പത്മനാഭപുരം കൊട്ടാരം)is a Travancore -era palace located in Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. It is owned and maintained by the Government Of Kerala.
Construction Edit
The palace was constructed around 1601 AD by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Venad between 1592 and 1609. It is believed that the Thai Kottaram was built in 1550. The founder of modern Travancore, King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1706–1758) who ruled Travancore from 1729 to 1758, rebuilt the palace in around 1750. King Marthaanda Varma dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sree Padmanabha, a form of Lord Vishnu and ruled the kingdom as Padmanabha dasa or servant of Lord Padmanabha. Hence the name Padmanabhapuram or City of Lord Padmanabha. In the late 18th century, precisely in 1795 the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Thiruvananthapuram, and the place lost its former glory.
Unique Rooms Edit
The Padmanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures:
Mantrasala; the King's Council Chamber
Thai Kottaram; the Queen Mother's Palace, constructed before 1550
Nataksala; the Performance Hall
A four-storeyed mansion at the centre of the complex
Thekee Kottaram; the Southern Palace.
Council Chamber Edit
King’s Council chamber is the most beautiful part of the entire palace complex. It has windows, with coloured mica, which keep the heat and the dust away, and the interior of the council chamber remains cool and dark. Delicate and beautiful lattice work can be seen all over the council chamber.
The floor is also beautifully done, with a fine and perfect finish. The floor is dark and is made of a mixture of varied substances, including burnt coconut shells, egg white and so on. The remarkable aspect is that this particular floor finish and texture could not be duplicated in any other construction.
Chitharal Malai Kovil
Chitharal Jain Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location within Tamil Nadu
Basic information
Location Marthandam, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates 8.3321348°N 77.2381845°E
Affiliation Jainism
Country India
Date established 9th century
Temple(s) 2
The Chitharal Jain Monuments; also known as Chitharal Malai Kovil (literally Temple on the Hill), Chitharal Cave Temple or Bhagwathi Temple, Chitral; are situated on the Thiruchanattu Malai (Thiruchanattu hillocks) near Chitharal village, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. Chitharal hills are locally known as Chokkanthoongi Hills.[1]
Monuments
Jain Bas-relief
There are two monuments. The earlier rock-cut Jain structure of beads with inscriptions and drip-ledges is the earliest Jain monument in the southern most part of India which was from first century BC to sixth century AD.[2]
A natural cavern formed by overhanging rock has a bas-relief sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras which were carved in later phase. The relief of Parshwanatha and Padmavati is standing figures canopied by multi-hooded cobra and with attendant figures of Yaksha. The figures seated in ardha-padmasana pose in each niches with three tiered parasol is that of other Tirthankaras (possibly of all 24 Tithankaras). there are three standing figures of Tirthankara in on of the left corner. The central niche has a figure of Mahavira with three tiered parasol, chhatratrayi chaitya with a tree above it and attendant figures. There is an another female figure of Ambika in a niche next to it. It has attendant figures including two children and a lion mount. All major niches has flying figures of Vidyadharas or worshippers. Each of this figures has a short inscription below the seat mentioning a name of donor and place in Vatteluthu Tamil script. Based on these inscription, it is known that the site was under control of Jains at least till middle of thirteenth century.[2][3][4]
The temple monuments were likely built by Digambara Jains in the ninth century when the region was under influence of Jainism.[3] Jain influence in this region was due to the King Mahendravarman I (610-640).[1]
The monuments are reached by roughly hewn steps in rocks and the narrow entrance between them. On the top of the hill, there in a cave temple with mandapa, a varandah corridor and a balipeetham with a kitchen (madappalli) which is carved into a natural overhanging rock facing the west. It has three sanctums which houses the Tirthankara (possibly Mahavira) in middle, goddess in the right and Parshwanatha on the left. The gopuram of the central shrine is destroyed possibly due to lightning. The temple was built in medieval period. There is an another temple-like structure (Vimana) on the top of the hill which is reached by climbing few steps. There is a natural pond few steps downwards.[3][5][6][7] Around 13th century, the cave temple was converted into Hindu temple of Bhagavati.[3][1] It is known by the Tamil script inscription on the entrance of the mandapa dated to 475 KE (1300 AD) which says Narayanan, Tamil Appalla Varaiyan of Rajavallapuram in the Kil Vembanadu donated some money for the expense of Bhagavati temple.[4]
According to T. A. Gopinatha Rao who visited the monuments in 1920-21, the inscription on the southern side says a Jain priestess called Gunandagi- kurattigal, the disciple of Arattanemi - Bhatariyar of Peravakkudi, presented Bhatariyar of Tiruchchanam malai with a metallic lamp stand and a golden flower during the 28th year of reign of Vikramaditya Varaguna Pandya. It was a Jain training centre for both males and females in past. The inscription is in old Tamil script known as Vatteluthu.[3][4][2]
The Travancore Archaeological Series says that Tiruchcharanattu malai, the name of the hills, means the hill of the Charanas. Charanas means Jain ascetics which were living on the hills. The votive images on the rock with inscription under each of it names an asce
THRIPARAPPU
Thriparappu water fall in kanyakumari falls in 300 feet long and consists of a rocky river bed.A small temple dedicated to lord siva is situated on the banks of the ruver.There are strong waterfall and fortification that surround the temple.
PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE
Padmanabhapuram Palace (Malayalam: പത്മനാഭപുരം കൊട്ടാരം)is a Travancore -era palace located in Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. It is owned and maintained by the Government Of Kerala.
Construction Edit
The palace was constructed around 1601 AD by Iravi Varma Kulasekhara Perumal who ruled Venad between 1592 and 1609. It is believed that the Thai Kottaram was built in 1550. The founder of modern Travancore, King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (1706–1758) who ruled Travancore from 1729 to 1758, rebuilt the palace in around 1750. King Marthaanda Varma dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sree Padmanabha, a form of Lord Vishnu and ruled the kingdom as Padmanabha dasa or servant of Lord Padmanabha. Hence the name Padmanabhapuram or City of Lord Padmanabha. In the late 18th century, precisely in 1795 the capital of Travancore was shifted from here to Thiruvananthapuram, and the place lost its former glory.
Unique Rooms Edit
The Padmanabhapuram Palace complex consists of several structures:
Mantrasala; the King's Council Chamber
Thai Kottaram; the Queen Mother's Palace, constructed before 1550
Nataksala; the Performance Hall
A four-storeyed mansion at the centre of the complex
Thekee Kottaram; the Southern Palace.
Council Chamber Edit
King’s Council chamber is the most beautiful part of the entire palace complex. It has windows, with coloured mica, which keep the heat and the dust away, and the interior of the council chamber remains cool and dark. Delicate and beautiful lattice work can be seen all over the council chamber.
The floor is also beautifully done, with a fine and perfect finish. The floor is dark and is made of a mixture of varied substances, including burnt coconut shells, egg white and so on. The remarkable aspect is that this particular floor finish and texture could not be duplicated in any other construction.
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