Jain connections in Cholas

An Inscription of Rajendra II, belonging to the 11th Century, has been found in Kailasanathar temple at Deepankudi in Kodavasal taluk in Tiruvrur district recently.

G.Thillai Govindarajan, Headmaster, Panchayat Union Primary school, Kothankudi, who is carrying out a project with the aid of New Delhi Nehru Trust of Indian Collections under the title "Jainism in Thanjavur district" has found the inscription during the field study.

The inscription belonging to the period of Rajendra II, is found in a pillar of six ft height in the temple premises which is under renovation. Inscription is engraved in all the four sides of the pillar. It starts with the praising of the King. It registers about donations offered to the presiding deity, Kailasanatha of Siva temple by Arulmozhinangai, sister of Rajendra II and the daughter of Rajendra I. On her behalf, it was inscribed by Aramabanandi, a Jain who belonged to Deepankudi temple. The inscription also records about the donations for offering rice, vegetables and curd rice daily for the presiding deity. The Jain temple of Deepankudi is in worship now.

An inscription found in Sttambur near Chenji in Tamil Nadu speaks about a Jain known as Aramanandi.