Deepanayakaswamy Jain Temple is a
Jain temple dedicated to the deity
Jain, located near
Arasavanangadu in
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam (formerly spelt as Coombaconum or Combaconum) or Kudanthai is a city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the States of India, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located from Thanjavur and from Chennai and is the headq ...
-
Tiruvarur road in
Tiruvarur District,
Tamil Nadu,
India
Other Jain Temples
This temple is situated in Deepankudi near
Arasavanangadu. There are also Jain temples in
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam (formerly spelt as Coombaconum or Combaconum) or Kudanthai is a city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the States of India, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located from Thanjavur and from Chennai and is the headq ...
,
Mannargudi,
Thanjavur and other places in Tamil Nadu.
Structure of the temple
The temple has
sanctum sanctorum,
Rajagopura, artha
mandapa
A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture.
Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...
, front
mandapa
A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture.
Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...
.maha
mandapa
A mandapa or mantapa () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture.
Mandapas are described as "open" or "closed" depending on whether they have walls. In temples, ...
and
vimana. The gopura has three tiers, with the stucco figures of
Tirttankaras. In the Vimana, Upapeeta, Peeta, Kumudha, Patti and Prastara are found. At the entrance of the arthamandapa, guardian deities are found on either side. Near to them bronze sculpture of Tirttankara is found. In the entrance of the Mahamandapa also guardian deities are found. On the right side of the mandapa Sruthaskanda, Sasanadeva, Sasanadevi, Kshetrabalar and Tirttankara are found. Shrimes of Dharmadevi, Adhinatha,
Jwalamalini and Brahmadevar are also found. Near the Rajagopura, Mutt is found.
[G.Thillai Govindarajan, Jainism in Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu, Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum, New Delhi, 110 001, May 2010]
Presiding deity
The presiding deity is known as Deepanayakaswamy and Deepanathar.
As the presiding deity is called as Deepanayakaswamy the place was to be known as Deepankudi.
Inscription
During renovation of the Kailasanatha Temple near the Jain Temple an inscription of
Rajendra Chola II was found, in September 2009. It notes about the donation offered. In the first part of the inscription one Nandhian has been referred. This Nandhian belonged to Jainism.
Festivals
Festivals are held regularly in this temple. For some years, during the last Sundays of December Tamil Jains celebrate Gnana Deepa Festival, lighting 1008 lamps.
[சமணத் திருத்தலங்கள் (சோழ மண்டலம்), ஆதிபகவன் சமணர் சங்கம், 53/22, ஜவுளிசெட்டித்தெரு, தஞ்சாவூர் 613 009, 2009]
See also
*
Arihant (Jainism)
*
God in Jainism
*
Jainism and non-creationism
*
Tijara Jain Temple
*
Jainism in Tamil Nadu
*
Tamil Jain
References
{{coord missing, Tamil Nadu
Jain temples in Tamil Nadu
Tiruvarur district