Thirunarunkundram village is situated 220 Km from Chennai, and 15 Km from Ulundurpet which is in NH 45, Chennai – Trichy Highways. It is a small village with a hill temple. The temple has been built by the Chola dynasty, Princess Kunthavai Pratty, the sister of great king Rajaraja sozhan, during 7th Century.
The temple is built on the rocks. There are 64 steps to reach the temple. Before climbing the steps, the devotees perform puja to Kshetrapalakji and then start climbing the steps.
The temple is having Manasthambam, Maha Mandabam, Artha Mandabam and Moolasthanam. After the dharshan of Manasthambam, first we worship Bhagawan Chandraprabhu, who is in Arthamandabam, along with Bhagavan Virushabanath, Bhagavan Mallinath and Bhagavan Mahaveer. In the same mandabam, the prathimaa of Brahmadev and Dharmadevi are also to be worshiped. Beside, few steps inside, we can reach MOOLNAYAK BHAGAWAN 1008 SHRI PARSHVANATHJI.
BHAGAWAN PARSHVANATH is engraved on a rock. The devotees will have very spiritual illumination and enchanting, which make them engrossing on him. Various Abhishake, Archanas and puja are performed. On right side of Bhagawan Parsvanathji, there are many Panchaloke Prathimas, which are more than 1,200 years old. The whole temple built within the rock, hold the devotees spellbound. No words to explain the grandeur about the temple.
INSCRIPTIONS:
There are 32 rocks inscriptions in Brahmi language inside the sanctum sanctorum, around the Chandraprabu idol, eastern side of the entrance and southern side. Outside the temple, there are 12 rock beds, on the southern side below the rock. These beds were used by Veerasangha Acharya and his students, during 7th century. There was a historic Jain Mutt in this place, with a PALLI ( School ). From here, many Acharyas had been moved towards Kanyakumari and other places to propagate Jain religion.
In the south side of the main temple, there is a temple to Yakshini Padmavathi Amman with a Mandabam which is constracted about 20 years ago. Puja and Abhishakam are being performed.
There are rock inscriptions near the water shed ( Rock ). The Veerasngaha was prominent and famous during 9th century, and was patronized by the various kings during 11th, 12th centuries. As we get down the steps, from the temple, we once again pay our obeisance to Kaala Bhairava ( Kshetra palakji ) at the entrance of the steps. There is also an idol of Shani Ghraga on the left side of the steps, under a big tree. Pilgrims, not only Jains but also other religion pay their worship to Shani Ghrga.
FESTIVALS AND FUNCTIONS:
Our community people ( Tamilnadu Digambar Jains ) make prayers for marriage, child birth, job and all vyavaharic activities. After fulfilment of the prayers, they come to the temple, to do the puja and seek the blessings of Bhagavan Parsvanath. This temple Bhagavan Parsvanathji is hereditary deity for 85% of Tamilnadu Digambar Jains and bring their children for the first ear ring ceremony.
NARKATCHI VOW ( SAMYAK DHARSHAN ) :
Many devotees take the vow during January called as NARKATCHI (SAMYAK DHARSHAN ) and complete it in first SUNDAY of February of every year. ( 48 days virath ) At that day, about 8,000 to 10,000 Jain people will be gathering at this place to have Dharshan Bhagavan Parsvanath and perform puja to him.
BRAHMORCHAVAM (Narkatchi):
Every year, during the month of May, seven days festival is celebrated as Brahmorchavam. Every day morning, after puja, Panchaloke Prethima of Bhagavan Parsvathath will be taken in the palanquin on various vaahanas, like horse, elephant, indran etc., and come around the village. During night, the same Bhagavan Parsvanath decorated with colour lights, kept on the 54th steps, Asta Mangala puja will be performed and taken around the village. On 7th day, morning Maha Abhishake will be done and complete the Brahmorchavam.
PURNIMA GIRIVALAM:
During purnima ( Full Moon ) day of every month, people gathering in large number around 400 to 500 and do parikrama of the temple at the ground level.
STAYING ARRANGEMENTS:
Under the supervision of temple authorities ( Dharmakarthas ), three rooms without any amenities, one very old dining hall without facilities are existing. Government constructed one hall and with limited bath room and toilet. To bridge the gap and fulfil the growing necessities of pilgrims, SRI ADHINATH SEVA TRUST initiated the steps to construct a YATHRINIVAS.
The TRUST is registerd vide NO. 79/2011, purchased land to the extent of 25 cents in the village about 300 meters from temple. The Tamil Nadu Digambar Jains Called this Bhagawan Parsvanath as APPANDANATHAR. Hence, the Yathrinivas name has been fix as SRI APPANDANATHAR YATHRINIVAS. Sri Adhinath Seva Trust also obtained 80G exemption for all donations from Income Tax Department.
The building consist of ground floor and first floor both have 4,000 sq.ft each. The ground floor have 10 rooms with attached bath rooms of western type closets, one room without bath for NERKANTHAR’S stay, and one office room, along with one big hall, which have the capacity of about 300 can sit. The first floor one side is big dormitory accommodation for about 100 people and other side kitchen with dining hall. It also consist of two more bed rooms as ground floor, one meditation cum library room, one VIP room and one store room.
Apart from this, common bath and toilets have been constructed separately for gents ( 10 Nos ) and Ladies ( 8 Nos ) at the rear of the buildings. For senior citizens and kids solar water heater is provided. Out of 12 rooms, four ( 4 ) rooms have been provided Air conditioners. The total cost of the project is about 1.50 crore approximately.