The Jain Basthi of Vijayamangalam

Summary

K Venkatachari's article describes the Jain basthi at Vijayamangalam otherwise known as Voyyapadi in Erode Taluk of Tamil Nadu. It stands as one of the few surviving Jain shrines in the region and attracts both art lovers and scholars. The shrine is dedicated to Candraprabha Vardhana the seventh Tirthankara and also houses an idol of Vardhamana Mahavira; both images are carved from granite. The author notes that the idol of Candraprabha is smaller than that of Mahavira yet the sculptures display the high excellence of the Jain school in Tamil Nadu. The temple architecture appears similar to that of nearby Hindu temples at first glance but closer inspection reveals significant differences. Hindu temples typically feature kalasams or finials atop their towers whereas the tower of the Vijayamangalam basthi lacks these ornaments. The dhvaja stambha or sacred column called manastambha by Jains rises through a pillared mandapam and ends abruptly without a horizontal projection unlike Hindu models. Inside the courtyard the carvings depict Adisvara seated cross legged under a triple umbrella musicians playing instruments gods riding animals angels fanning the deity and images of Krishna treading on the serpent Kaliya along with Ganesa Hanuman and other Hindu gods. The presence of Hindu deities alongside Jain icons illustrates the catholicity and tolerance of the Jain builders who accommodated figures from the broader Tamil religious landscape. In the ardha mandapa the shrine contains five granite idols that locals call the Panca Pandavas but Jain scriptures identify them as the five Supreme Ones: Siddhas Arhatas Acaryas Upadhyayas and Sadhus. The absence of Draupadi refutes the popular association with the Pandavas. The temple is managed by a priest belonging to the Digambara sect; the deity is unclad and no festivals are celebrated although the images are anointed daily with water milk curd and sandalwood paste. Outside the shrine there is a deep well said to have been created by a blow from Bhima's club and believed to have medicinal properties. Numerous inscriptions on the temple walls record its history and there are two small adjacent shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Siva which further indicate religious inclusiveness. The temple dates back to the period of the Ganga kings of Mysore who also built the Jain colossus at Sravanabelagola. Venkatachari concludes that the basthi is a testament to the artistry tolerance and syncretism of Jain culture in Tamil Nadu.