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Caves in India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vallimalai Jain caves are located in Vallimalai village in Katpadi taluk of Vellore district, Tamil Nadu.
Vallimalai Jain Beds | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Jainism |
Deity | Tirthankara |
Festival | Mahavir Janma Kalyanak |
Location | |
Location | Vallimalai, Vellore, Tamil Nadu |
Geographic coordinates | 13°04′24.6″N 79°15′50.9″E |
Architecture | |
Style | Dravidian architecture |
Creator | Rachamalla II |
Date established | 2nd century BCE |
Completed | 870 CE |
Materials | Rock cut |
Vallimalai Jain caves contains natural caverns that were inhabited by Digambar monks in early historic period.[clarification needed] [1][2] The monks from Bihar used to come here during the late-maurya period. The smooth and polished beds were carved during the rule of Satavahana dynasty.[3] A total of five inscription are found[4] with one of the inscriptions dating back to 8th century.[5] The Jain carvings were created during the reign of Ganga King Rachamalla II in c. 870 CE after conquest of this region from Chola kings.[6][6][7][8] An inscription, below the sculptures, states the name of Devasena of Bana Kingdom along with his Jain monks Bhavanandin and Aryanandin.[9]
Vallaimalai was an important Jain center during 8th-9th century.[7]
Vallimalai is an important Jain site with several carvings of sculptures of tirthankara. The caverns is 40 by 20 feet (12.2 m × 6.1 m) with height varying between 7–10 feet (2.1–3.0 m). There is also a temple in the region which was converted to a Hindu temple.[10] The caves consist of three chambers, two of these chambers contain images of Jain tirthankar. Above this group, there are the remains of a wall, believed to have been a small fort occupied by Jains.[11] A torana is found above Jain images similar to carvings of Badami cave temples.[12]
The Jain sculpture are engraved on two spots, one on the northern side of Murugan temple and second on the southern side, with one sculpture with superhuman dimensions.[11] There is an image of Ambika in sukhasana position wearing a necklace, armbands, and crown.[13] Ambika is depicted sitting on a lion with carvings of her two sons below her pedestal.[14] There is also image of Padmavati with 4 hands, holding goad and noose in upper right and left hands.[7]
These caves are protected by Archaeological Survey of India.[15] In 2014, "Ahima Walks" was organized in the region to promote the place.[8]
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