Sri Ranganatha Temple in Srirangapatna, #Karnataka
It is a #Hindu temple. But how many of us know it's connection with #Jainism??
Records say that it was constructed extensively using material of 101 #Jain temples demolished nearby at Kalaswadi by a Vaishnavite Timmaya. #Thread
An inscription in the temple reveals it was first consecrated in 984 CE by Tirumalaiah, a vassal of the Western Gangas. He founded 2 temples on the island - one of Ranganatha & a smaller one of Tirumala Deva enclosing them with a wall; & called the place Sri Rangapura/pattana (2)
Ranganatha temple is protected by @ASIGoI. It is just 400 metres away from Tipu's Summer palace in Srirangapatnam. In the early 12th century, Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana (1108-1152 CE), granted the village of Srirangapatna to Ramanujacharya as an Agraharam (place of learning) (3)
In 1454, Timmana, a Hebbere or descendant of the Vaishnavite Brahmins who accompanied Ramanujacharya from the East, by a visit to Vijaynagar & the aid of a hidden treasure which he had just discovered, obtained permission from the government of the district to erect a FORT (4)
Which was later enlarged by the barbarous demolition of 101 Jain temples at Kalaswadi, a town half-way between that place & Mysur, the materials of which were removed for the improvement of the New temple. Grants are extant from Timmana in the same year he laid the foundation (5)
An earlier inscription of the great Hoysala King Veera Ballala II (1210 CE) confirms that additions & renovations were made to the temple at that time. The entrance tower bears features of Vijayanagara architecture. Contributions were also made by the Wodeyar kings of Mysore. (6)
Srirangapatna-ADI RANGA is the 1st most Holy & Important Site of Ranganatha temples in South India. 2nd being Madhya Ranga Temple in Shivanasamudram, Mandya dt, #Karnataka. 3rd being Sriranganatha temple in Trichy, #Tamilnadu. 4 more in list of Pancharanga, all in #TamilNadu (7)
'Historical sketches of the South of India in an attempt to trace the History of Mysore' by Mark Wilks. Edited with notes by Murray Hammick
'Seringapatam; past and present'
by George Bruce Malleson, 1876 (8)
My visit to Srirangam temple last week. Interesting to see the Bali peedam & Mana Stambha, typically found in old #Jain temples of the south. (9)
As rightly documented, one can literally see the whole temple complex inside & outside is fitted with random pillars, idols, broken pieces from other temples. There is no uniformity in the architecture nor any artistic structure in most part of the temple. (10)
All were Brahmins & took monk initiation under Lord Mahavir & followed Jain dharma
#Thread 👇🏼
All 11 were profound scholars of philosophy. All had their own secular beliefs regarding the soul, the divine, heaven, hell, salvation, sin, virtue etc. Hence before taking initiation they solved their doubts with Lord Mahavir & on being satisfied took initiation from him (2)
11 Ganadhars & their Doubts:
1) Indrabhuti: Existence of Soul? 2) Agnibhuti: On Karma? 3) Vayubhuti: The body is Jiva or different from Jiva? 4) Vyakta: Five material elements are real or unreal? 5) Sudharmā: If Jiva will be of the same kind or different in next birth? (3)
'Shree Vardhaman Shakrastav Stotra' is a collection of 273 Adjectives that emerged spontaneously from the heart of Shakrendra (Indra) Maharaja when he comes to know of Tirthankar's birth.
Sharing some interesting Adjectives in this #Thread 👇🏼
This stotra was virtually gifted by Shakrendra to Acharya Siddhasen Divakar Surishwarji in the 5th century CE for benefit of mankind. It was lost in the passage of time & rediscovered by Shri Chinubhai Ratilal Doshi from the Ancient Gyan Bhandar in Kavi #Jain Tirth, #Gujarat
3. The word SHAKRASTAV means 'Shakra' (Shakrendra, ruler of 64 Indras of Heaven)+'Stav' (Stavan/hymns) in praise of Lord. The 273 Adjectives are divided into 11 paragraphs known as ‘Alavas’
Who laid 78000 Gold coins to buy 4 yards of land to cremate the bodies of #Sikh Guru Gobind Singh's 2 sons & his mother in 1704 CE; who were executed & denied last rites as they refused to convert into #Islam
#Thread
Seth Todarmal was born in an Oswal #Jain Shwetambar family in Punjab (exact city vary in diff sources) & his ancestors were wealthy Traders. In 1630CE, Emperor Shah Jahan promoted him to the post of Diwan-cum-Faujdar in Sirhind, Punjab. (A biopic on him was released in 2023). (2)
In 1658, as soon as Aurangzeb got the throne, he replaced all the bureaucrats with Muslims. He dismissed Diwan Todarmal & appointed Wazir Khan. Hence, Todarmalji stayed in his Jahazi Haveli at Sirhind & continued his business. (3)
#Thread on #Saraswati mata - the Goddess of Knowledge
Also known as Shrut devi/Jinvani mata in #Jainism
Oldest idol of Saraswati (132CE) with an inscription was excavated from Jain Stupa @ Kankali Tila, Mathura #UP. Donated by a Jain metal worker. She holds Jinagam & a mala (1)
10th Century idol of #Jain Saraswati Devi with Tirthankar on top from Pallu, Bikaner, #Rajasthan. Currently on display at Ajmer Museum. The iconography shows Kamandal, mala and Jinagam in her hands (2)
#Jain Saraswati dated 1010CE discovered from excavation at Bir Chhabili Tila, Fatehpur Sikri, #UttarPradesh. The idol is in Tribhanga posture with 2 Jina idols sitting on both sides at the top (3)
He was born in 1782, to Seth Amin Chand & Roopa Bai at Bombay. Amin Chand had migrated from Khambat to Bombay in 1758 at the age of 13 where he started jewellery business. There he built a griha jinalay.
#Thread #SundaySpecial
But when he died, the family was left behind in a critical financial condition. His eldest son Nemi Chand started brokerage & paid off father's debts but died young at 31. Within 5 years Motichand developed business to great heights & became a millionaire (2)
His business ventures spread far & wide. He slowly acquired a fleet of 40 ships operating from China to Bahrain. He, thus, broke the monopoly of the British & became a shipping magnate. His reputation spread to Arab countries, to Java-Sumatra, China & Sri Lanka (3)
21.05.23, Sunday:
For the first time ever in 76 years, since the 1947 Partition of India & Pakistan, #Jain monks enter #Pakistan to visit their #Jain Pilgrimages today!
Gachchadhipati Acharya Shri Dharmadhurandhar Suri takes the message of Peace & Ahimsa of Jinshashan to #Pakistan to visit the Samadhi mandir of Param pujya Acharya Shri Atmaramji Maharaj at Gujranwala. He belongs to Punjab Kesari Acharya Vijay Vallabh Surishwarji's Samuday (2)
Acharya Shri Dharmadhurandhar suri, Muni's Trishabchandra Vijayji adi thhana with his 20-25 devotees started their vihaar & crossed the Attari-Wagah border at 10am today. This is the first time ever in 76 years since Partition Jain monks will visit Jain Tirths in #Pakistan (3)