Popular post of N R Mohan on Quora with over 10000 views, 40 up votes, 4 shares in various blogs.
This is my view. Forgive me if I hurt anyone unintentionally.
Disclosure - 1. I believe, the term Hinduism is general, there are Saivism, Vaisnavism, Sakthas etc.
2.I visited many Budh Vihars including Sanchi and Jain Temples. I frequent Hutheesing Temple in Ahmedabad to worship Lord Dharmanath.
3.Religion is intertwined with politics and patronised by Ruled Kings.
Who we are there to change the past. Instead of dwelling in the past, construct a powerful temple for Jain God now and let the future generations feel proud. Is it because, Tirumala Tirupati is famous and everyone wants to identify with it?
1.Coming to Tirupati, before the middle of the century, it was a part of Tamil Mandalam, ruled by Tamil Kingdoms, mainly early Cholas and then by Vijayanagara Kingdom. The architect is a Dravidian architect and the inscriptions are in Tamil alphabets. It is relatively a small temple in comparison with other famous temples in earlier time, say Sri Rangam.
2.There is a book titled “History of Tirupati” in 3 bigger volumes at the Devasthanam ofcourse in Tamil.
3.We do have epics written by Budhdhist and Jain Scholars. In fact, one of the famous epic in Tamil is “Silappadhikaram - story of an ankle” written by a Budhdhist writer Ilango Adigal.
4.We still preserve Jain beds in Madurai, Jain schools in Kazhugumalai and many Monuments which are believed to be constructed during 3rd to 7th century AD.
5.Here the religion does not count. The rulers count. This land is divided and ruled by many kings, part by part. They have their own interest and they may change over their political career.
As an example, during Kalappiryar’a rule the court language was Prakrit. When they were defeated, the Pallavas came into Power, ruled a Part of Northern Tamil Nadu with Kanchi as the capital. Their court language transformed from Prakrit to Sanskrit.Mahendra Verma Pallava was initially a patron of the Jain faith but later to avoid the disconnect with the people, he embraced the Saiva faith. The court language was Tamil and Sanskrit. It is need of the time.
Yes, the period of Kalappirayar was termed as “Dark Age” It is also not known who the ruler, where did they come - no inscriptions.
6.Coming to Tirupati, because it is famous, even many claim, it is a Budhdhist Temple, some claim it is Jain Temple and within the Hindus, some claim this is a place of Sakthi and some claim Kaumari (Murugan). There is no end to it.
7.Better to read the “History of Tirupati” book published by the Government (it may be costing 175Rs) and take stock of inscriptions, temple architect and get convinced.
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