It's not the Buddha. But you wouldn't be blamed for thinking it was. Mahavira, founder of Jainism, and contemporary of Shakyamuni. The two traditions have so many points of commonality (a just a few drastic differences) that some scholars believe that Jainism is a breakaway Buddhist school. Jains and are often mentioned in Buddhist sutras but are called Niganthas (possessionless ones). Mahavira is referred to as Nigantha Nattaputta (Natta's son, the Nigantha).
(India Express Buzz, Sept. 3, 2009)
Chitaral Jain Temple, Kanyakumari district, site of intended festival (expressbuzz.com)
Chitaral Jain Temple, Kanyakumari district, site of intended festival (expressbuzz.com)
Jain festival in Kumari district
Yogesh Kabirdoss (9/3/09)
CHENNAI, India: In a bid to showcase Tamil Nadu’s unique Jain monuments, which stand in testimony of a cultural past that saw the dharma propounded by Mahavira flourishing for several centuries in various parts of the state, the Tourism Department is organizing a "Jain Temple Tourism Festival" at a remote village called Chitharal in Kanyakumari district on Sunday.
CHENNAI, India: In a bid to showcase Tamil Nadu’s unique Jain monuments, which stand in testimony of a cultural past that saw the dharma propounded by Mahavira flourishing for several centuries in various parts of the state, the Tourism Department is organizing a "Jain Temple Tourism Festival" at a remote village called Chitharal in Kanyakumari district on Sunday.
An initiative of the State secretary of tourism, Dr V Irai Anbu, the festival is the first of its kind event in Tamil Nadu that will ultimately turn the various heritage Jain structures, hitherto unknown to tourists and visitors to the State, into places of tourist attraction and also a pilgrimage for followers of Jainism.
Mahavira, voluntary going without any possessions, is often depicted nude ("sky clad"). It is not an erotic expression but rather one of complete detachment and harmlessness (ahimsa). This is never done with otherwise extremely similar depictions of the Buddha.
At Chitharal, situated near Marthandam, a huge cave with rock-cut sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras and attendant deities exemplify how Jainism has thrived and has spread close to the land’s end, 2000 years ago, and how much it has contributed to the religious and cultural heritage of the State.
At Chitharal, situated near Marthandam, a huge cave with rock-cut sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras and attendant deities exemplify how Jainism has thrived and has spread close to the land’s end, 2000 years ago, and how much it has contributed to the religious and cultural heritage of the State.
Though the cave (pictured above), which was carved in a hillock standing against scenic landscape, was converted into a Bhagavathi Amman Temple around the 13th century, the Jain images have not been tampered with. The preserved relics will be the highlight of the festival, which will be marked by folk performances and cultural events.
The Department of Tourism has developed a pathway leading to the hillock, which is about 200 feet up, for the convenience of those visiting the cave, which is likely to be added to the list of popular places of interest in the district. Besides the Chitharal site, there are 13 other Jain monuments spread across the state... More>>
