Lesser Known Ancient Jain Sculptures near Chennai - Onampakkam

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Cheyyur is a little-known village located near Chennai city in South India. Near Cheyyur, the 8th century CE Jain sculptures are located in a small hillock. It is challenging to find the exact hillock as this area has many hills. The local people call this particular hill 'Kurathi Malai' or 'Samanar Malai'. It is located near a village named Onampakkam. There are three sculptures found on top of the hillock. Few steep steps are found up to halfway to the hilltop. Beyond that, we need to climb up the rocks. 




The details of three Jain sculptures:

1) Parsvanath in the standing posture, with a five-hooded serpent on his head along with two Yakshas on either side
2) Adinath in the sitting posture
3) Mahavir in the sitting posture

There are few Jain beds found in this hillock.

Unfortunately, this ancient site remains unknown, although it is located near the most happening Chennai city.

If you live in Chennai or somewhere nearby, ensure that you go to this site at a week end.

Happy travelling.




Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.




Location: Cheyyur - Vandawasi - Polur Road, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

  1. injamavenSaturday, March 23, 2013

    seated Mahavir photo #3 looks so much like one on Samanar Malai, Madurai Dt.!

    ReplyDelete
  2. injamavenSaturday, March 23, 2013

    How do you recognize Adinatha here? I can't see hair locks on shoulders, or do locals know it's He?

    ReplyDelete

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