ABOUT THANJAVUR JAIN TEMPLE PHOTO

The Digamber Jain Temple at Thanjavur is situated at karunthattankudy otherwise called as karanthai, which is nearly 2 KM by north from the Thanjavur old town. The temple is located in the northern banks of river Vadavar near Pookkulam.

I. HISTORY:

The main deity is Lord RISHABANATHAR; hence the temple is called as SRI ADHEENATHASWAMY JINAALAYAM. According to the findings of archeological experts the main shrine might have been built some 600 years ago.

The special feature in this temple is a separate sannathi to goddess JINAVANI which is existing in the southern prahaara, is built with Gharbagraha, Artha mandapam, Muga mandapam and Prahaaram (i.e.) with all the features for a separate temple within the temple. This was constructed some 300 years ago with the donations from a single jain lady namely SRI AMMANI AMMAL who has dedicated this temple in memory of the completion of Sruthaskantha Nonbu (penance) performed by her.

Other sannadhis such as Shri Brahma Devar, Shri Juwalamalini Devi, Shri Dharma Devi sannadhis are construced in the northen side of the temple around 17^th century AD.

Further a separate sannadhi for Navagrahas are built in the south east corner of the temple some 100 years ago.

Further a Pooja Mandapam with 16 pillars is built in the southern praharam some 300 years ago.

Recently Shri Padmavathi Devi statue is incarnated during the year 2008 in the pooja mandapam and a separate statue for Acharya shri Kund Kund is donated to the temple which is yet to be incarnated is also placed inside the pooja mandapam.

Further a 45 Cents of Nandhavanam with compound walls on all the four sides is owned by the temple which is just in the back side of the temple.

Also a tank named as JAINA KULAM (tank for jain temple) is owned by the temple which is nearly 50 Mts away from the temple by north side.

II. MANAGEMENT:-

This temple is presently managed three trusties.

1. Hereditary Trustee,

2. Representative of Jinakanchi Mutt,

3. Court Appointed Trustee.

III. SPECIAL POOJAS:-

Nithya Poojai and Special poojas are performed in the

temple regularly.

The following special poojas are conducted throughout the year with the donations collected from the jain public.

1. January : (a) Acharya shri Kundh Kundh Day (thiruvaaluvar day).

(b) Shree Padmavathi Devi Bimba Sthabana Day.

2. February : Lord Rishaba’s Parinirvana Day.
3. March Or April : Shree Mahaveer Jayanthi.

4. May : Akshaya Thiruthiyai.
5. June : Shree Srutha PAnchami Day.
6. July : Shree Veera Sasana Jayanthi.
7. Augest : Jwalamalini Devi Utsav (Aadi Utsav).
8. September Or October : Navarathiri Festival.

9. November : Deepavali.

10. December : Dhanur Maatha Poojai.

Separate funds are created for the above special poojas so as to conduct the functions without any break in the future. Nandheeswara poojas are also performed during Aashada, Karthika & Palguna Paruvas.

IV. DIGAMBER JAIN POPULATIONS:-

Nearly 40 families are living in around the town of the Thanjavur. Some of them are daily visiting the temple and worshiping the deities. Others visiting the temple with regular intervals. During the special festivals all the families are visiting the temple and jointly performing special poojas on that day and also contributing things & donations for the same.