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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Tirumalai
| native_name = {{ubl
|{{native name|ta|Engunavirai-Tirumalai|italics=no}}
|Arhasugiri
}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Jainism]]
| image = Tree_at_the_Peak_of_Tirumalai.jpg
| alt = Peak of Tirumalai
| caption = Peak of Tirumalai
| map_type =
| map_caption = Location within Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|12.556675|79.205946|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Tiruvannaamalai]], [[Tiruvannamalai district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| deity = [[Neminath]]
| festivals = [[Mahavir Janma Kalyanak]]
| temple_quantity = 2
| established = 9th century CE
}}

'''Tirumalai''' (lit. "the holy mountain"; also later '''Arhasugiri''', lit. "the excellent mountain of the Arha[t]"; [[Tamil language|Tamil]] '''Engunavirai-Tirumalai''', lit. "the holy mountain of the Arhar" is a Jain temple and cave complex dating from at least the 9th century CE that is located northwest of [[Polur]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], southeast [[India]].{{Sfn|Mani|2018|p=181}} The complex includes 3 Jain caves, 2 [[Jain temples]] and a {{convert|16.25|ft|m|adj=mid|-high|sp=us}} sculpture of [[Tirthankara]] [[Neminatha]] thought to date from the 12th century CE that is the tallest Jain image in [[Tamil Nadu]].{{Sfn|Sewell|1882|p=170}}{{Sfn|Pal|2014|p=134}} [[Arahanthgiri Jain Math]] is also present near Tirumalai complex.{{Sfn|Mani|2018|p=181}}

== History ==
[[File:Tirumalai jain temple inscription.jpg|thumb|left|Tirumalai inscription]]
Tirumalai has been an important Jain center since ancient times. It is believed that 8,000 Jain monks who accompanied [[Bhadrabahu]] did the penance and attained [[Moksha (Jainism)|nirvana]] here. The footprints of four great saints - Vrishabhsenachrya, Samanatabhadracharya, Varadattachrya munivar and Sri Vadeepa Simhasuri are also present here.{{Sfn|Umamaheshwari|2018|p=138}} An inscription dating back to 1024 CE is present mentioning the name Kunthavai Jinalaya temple.{{Sfn|Veluppillai|2003|p=330}} This inscription mentions the list conquest done by [[Rajendra Chola I]] and the offerings made by him to Kunthavai Jinalaya temple.{{Sfn|Umamaheshwari|2018|p=142}}

==Early site==
[[File:Tirumalai jain temple - terrocotta sculpture.JPG|thumb|Terrocotta sculpture of tirthankara]]
The large cavern at the base of the site is thought to have been built around the 9th century. In the 10th century it was converted into 30 separate chambers, possibly to accommodate figures of [[Tirthankaras]] and a [[yakshi]]. Similar to [[Ellora caves]], the representation of celestial being performs a ritual on tirthankara is present.{{Sfn|Owen|2012|p=21}}

An inscription found on a buried rock in front of the gopura at the base of the hill from the late 10th century refers to the site as Vaigai-malai or “the mountain of Vaigai.” Two other inscriptions found on a piece of rock at the top of the hill and buried on a piece of rock underneath the steps between the gopura and the painted cave refer to it as Vaigai-Tirumalai or “the holy mountain of Vaigai.” The name Vaigai is thus thought to be connected with Vaigavur, the historic name of the village at the base of the rock.{{Sfn|Umamaheshwari|2018|p=142}}

==Jain temples==
[[File:Tirumalai jaintemple 4.jpg|thumb|The Mahavira temple]]

===Kuntahavai Jain temple===
The Kunthavai Jinalaya temple is a 10th-century [[Jain temple]], said to have been commissioned by the Princess [[Kundavai Pirāttiyār|Kundavai]] of the [[Chola Dynasty]]. It is one of two such sites commissioned by her, though the other site, ''Dadapuram'', has not survived.{{Sfn|Singh|Pant|Prasad|2000|p=107}}<ref name="encj">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Jainism|first1=Nagendra Kumar|last1=Singh|year=2001|publisher=Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd.|page=1000}}</ref>

This temple is situated on top of the Tirumulai hill with engraving of [[Mahavira]] flanked by two lions. This temple is partly excavated and partly built within caverons of the rock. This temple is rich in sculptures and base-relief. This temple contains the {{convert|16.25|ft|m}} monolithic sculpture of [[Neminatha]].{{Sfn|Cox|1881|p=215}} This idol is tallest Jain idol in Tamil Nadu.{{Sfn|Pal|2014|p=134}} There are footprints of Jain monks to commemorate their [[Moksha (Jainism)|nirvana]] near the temple.{{Sfn|Titze|Bruhn|1998|p=75}}

===Mahavir temple===
In the 16th century, a second temple for [[Mahavir]] was built to the west of the Kunthavai Jinalaya.{{Sfn|Shah|1987|p=169}}{{Sfn|Pal|2014|p=134}}

===Parshvanath temple===
In the 17th century, a third temple for [[Parshvanath]] was constructed.{{Sfn|Pal|2014|p=134}}

==Paintings==
[[File:Tirumalai 3365.JPG|thumb|Painting depicting [[Samavasarana]]]]
Paintings are thought to have been added to the site between the 15th-17th centuries. Some of these still survive. These painting are considered comparable to that of present in [[Ellora caves]].{{Sfn|Owen|2012|p=20}}

The painting of [[Parshvanatha]] with hood of five snakes{{Sfn|Shah|1987|p=186}} venerated by monks, nuns and others is the one of the most notable painting in Tirumali complex.{{Sfn|Sewell|1882|p=170}} Kuntahavai Jain Temple features a painting with depiction of [[Samavasarana]] similar to that of present in [[Shravanabelagola]].{{Sfn|Shah|1987|p=25}} The paintings of [[Ambika (Jainism)|Ambika]], [[Parshvanatha]] and [[Bahubali]] are also noteworthy.{{Sfn|Shah|1987|p=169}}

== Jain Matha ==
[[Arahanthgiri Jain Math]] is a [[Jain Matha]] that was established near the site in August, 1998.{{Sfn|Mani|2018|p=181}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/index.php/donations/to-jain-tirths/111-arihantagiri-tirumalai|title=Arihantagiri - Tirumalai|access-date=April 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107091818/http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/index.php/donations/to-jain-tirths/111-arihantagiri-tirumalai|archive-date=7 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Conservation ==
These caves are protected by [[Archaeological Survey of India]].{{Sfn|ASI|Vellore sub-circle}}

== Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Tirumalai Neminatha Statue.jpg|The {{convert|16.25|ft|m}} statue of [[Neminath]]
File:Tirumalai jain temple 4.jpg|Detailed carvings at Tirumalai
File:Tirumalai jaintempe 3.jpg|[[Shikhara]] with detailed carving, Kuntahavai Jain Temple
File:Upper Temple Complex at Tirumalai.jpg|[[Arahanthgiri Jain Math]]
File:Tirumalai 3391 paintings ceiling.JPG|Paintings on ceiling
File:Tirumalai Jain temple - cave structure.JPG|Cave structure
</gallery>

==See also==

* [[Laxmisena]]
* [[Mel Sithamur Jain Math]]
* [[List of the tallest statues in India]]

==References==
=== Sources ===
{{reflist|23em}}

=== Citation ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{citation |last1=Titze |first1=Kurt | last2=Bruhn | first2=Klaus |title=Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence |url={{Google books|loQkEIf8z5wC|page=75|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |edition=2 |date=1998 |isbn=978-81-208-1534-6 }}
* {{citation |last=Mani |first=Ajit |title=The Nawab's Tears |url={{Google books|rHt8DwAAQBAJ|page=181|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Partridge Publishing]] |date=2018 |isbn=9781543704280 }}
* {{citation |last=Veluppillai |first=Alvappillai |author-link=A. Veluppillai |chapter=Jainism in Tamil Inscriptions |pages=315–332 |editor-last=Qvarnström |editor-first=Olle |title=Jainism and Early Buddhism: Essays in Honor of Padmanabh S. Jaini |chapter-url={{Google books|5_EdL2FtIqQC|plainurl=yes|page=330}} |publisher=Jain Publishing Company |date=2003 |isbn=9780895819567 }}
* {{citation |last=Owen |first=Lisa |title=Carving Devotion in the Jain Caves at Ellora | volume=41 | series=Brill's Indological Library |url={{Google books|vHK2WE8xAzYC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Brill Publishers]] |date=2012 |isbn=9789004206298 }}
* {{citation |last1=Singh |first1=Purshottam |last2=Pant |first2=P. C. |last3=Prasad |first3=Maheswari |title=Bhāratī: Bulletin of the College of Indology | volume=23 |url={{Google books|X-9tAAAAMAAJ|page=107|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Banaras Hindu University]] |date=2000 }}
* {{citation |last=Umamaheshwari |first=R. |title=Reading History with the Tamil Jainas: A Study on Identity, Memory and Marginalisation | volume=2 | series=Sophia Studies in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Traditions and Cultures |url={{Google books|TRxJDwAAQBAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Springer Nature|Springer]] |date=2018 |isbn=9788132237563 }}
* {{cite book | last=Sewell | first=Robert | author-link=Robert Sewell (historian) |title=New Imperial Series | volume=7 |url={{Google books|W5YXtbHisaUC|page=170|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |date=1882 }}
* {{citation | last=Cox | first=Arthur Frederick |title=A Manual of the North Arcot District in the Presidency of Madras |url={{Google books|JAgDtpFXP04C|page=215|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |publisher=E. Keys |date=1881 }}
* {{Citation|url={{Google books|284AAwAAQBAJ|page=134|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |title=Imbibed in Faith|first=Susant |last=Pal|publisher=[[Partridge Publishing]]|date=2014|isbn=9781482812596}}
* {{Citation|url={{Google books|m_y_P4duSXsC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |title=Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana| volume=1| first=Umakant Premanand |last=Shah| author-link=Umakant Premanand Shah |publisher=Abhinav Publications|date= 1987|isbn= 9788170172086 }}
* {{Cite web | url=https://asichennai.gov.in/vellore_sub_circle.html | title=Vellore sub-circle | publisher=Archaeological Survey of India | ref={{SfnRef|ASI|Vellore sub-circle}} }}
{{refend}}

{{Jain temples}}
{{Jainism Topics}}
{{Tiruvannamalai district}}
{{Jain Caves in India}}

[[Category:Jain temples in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Archaeological monuments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:9th-century Jain temples]]
[[Category:Jain rock-cut architecture]]
[[Category:Tamil architecture]]
[[Category:Tamil art]]
[[Category:Chola architecture]]
[[Category:Mountains in Hinduism]]

Tirumalai (Tamil Nadu) - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article