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    JAIN TEMPLE ATOP A VERTICAL CLIFF

    Buddhism and Jainism which once held sway all over India had left behind a few vestiges like the one in Chitharal for instance.
    Chitharal is a tiny unpretentious village located 4 miles north east of Kuzhithurai. This antique and historically significant rock shrine was in days of yore a place of pilgrimage sacred to the Jains. It was converted into Hindu temple in 1250AD, and an image of Bhagavathy was installed.
    At the summit of Tirucharanathu Malai a craggy hill in Chitharal is a natural cave formed by an overhanging rock resting upon another. The imposing ruins of this temple perched atop the hill evoke sacred and austere memories.
    On the northern side of the overhanging rock is sculpted many exquisite images which are avowedly Jainistic in origin, distinguished by hanging earlobes, a tier of three umbrellas over the tonsured head, in the sitting and standing postures. The images have broad shoulders and thin waists with contemplative expressions. Between these images of Jain Theerthankaras are inscriptions in Vattezhuthu. Most of them are seemed to be the replica of the Jain Theerthankaras, namely Parsvanatha and Mahavira, inside the central shrine. The Hindus however consider this as the image of Mahavishnu.

    The central shrine is divided into three chambers-one for the Goddess another for Mahavira and the third one for Parsuanatha which is in the standing posture and nude as required by the manasara.
    The term Thirucharanathu malai means the hill holy to the charanas. The chudamani nighantu says that charanas are the eight class of samanas who have attained the siddhi of concealing themselves in flowers, water or sky. It also means a place where Jains lived in large groups.

    On the top of the overhanging rock just above the central shrine is a brick gopuram. The three storied pagoda had images of Mahaviras. It was destroyed in lightning in 1908.

    Jainism declined in the 11th century during the Chola dynasty. It is said that when Chandra Gupta Maurya along with a Jain ascetic Badrabhahu reached Sravanabalgola in 298 BC their disciples reached here to spread Jainism and chose this hillock for meditation.
    Inscription on a huge rock exposed to the elements hence badly damaged throw light on the religious and cultural history of the State. There is a pond in front of the shrine down a flight of steps.

    On ascending the Chitharal rock one can enjoy the charming landscape around. At a distance the jagged outline of the Western Ghats enveloped by clouds can be seen .Below gleaming pale green lakes, fields, winding rivers, clusters of pretty villages nestling amidst coconut and Palmyra plantations, the tall spires of churches, the lofty gopurams enchant us.
    This spot a confluence of history and religion is an ideal place for enjoying a quiet holiday. The most greatly prized amenity granted exclusively by nature here is peacefulness.
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