Tirunathar Kunru (Sirukadambur) Tirth - Tamil Nadu

Tirunathar Kunru is just 2 Kilometers away, North of Gingee Town, Viluppuram. The Archaeological Survey of India protects the site. On the western side of the Road there is a hillock on which one can find two Jain caverns and a huge boulder containing sculptures of all the 24 Tirthankaras. The sculptures found here exhibit 9th century style. It is the only place where all the 24 Tirthankaras are shown in a single large composition. There is an open rock nearby, which was the place where monk Chandranandi observed 57 days of fasting and died (5th - 6th Century AD). Another monk Ilayabhattara observed 30 days of fasting and died in the 10th century AD. Visitors can see an image of Adinatha and a figure of Mahavira in the pathway leading to the caves at the ground level.

How To Get There : Road: Tourists can access Tirunathar Kunru from Gingee town, which is well connected by road. 

Where To Stay : There are no proper accommodation facilities, but few small hotels and lodges are available at Gingee where tourists can stay for a night or two. 

Jains Sites Near Gingee :
Ennayiramalai : 30 Kilometers rock sheltered rooms for 8,000 Munis, with inscriptions from 3rd century BC. You can see carved rock surface where the Munis used to sleep in ancient times.

Melasittamur : 11 Kilometers ancient seat of the Lakshmisena Bhattarakas of Tamilnadu. There is a rathotsava in Chaitra (April). The Gopuram of Lord Neminath is 7 stories. There are ancient tada-patra manuscripts and many glorious images of Tirthankaras. There is a Dharmashala.

There are many other ancient Jain sites nearby.

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Information Courtesy : Mr. Yashwant Malaiya, E-Mail : ymalaiya@yahoo.com

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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R090503