Jain Monuments, Thiruparankundram, Madurai

Jain Monuments, Thiruparankundram, Madurai

Jain Monuments is a group of Jain religious monuments like Bas reliefs, caverns and inscriptions around Thiruparankundram Hills located at Thiruparankundram at outskirts of Madurai City in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu. Jainism has been had been flourishing here between 2 century BC to 13 century AD. There are Jain abodes, Bas relief sculptures, Jain Caves and ancient inscriptions engraved on boulders and in the caves situated around Thiruparankundram hills. Jains were the first to use this hillock for their residing and meditation purpose.

Jain Monuments

Thirthankar Bas Reliefs:

Two Jain Tirthankara figures are engraved at inaccessible heights on a boulder near the Saraswathi Theertham, on the way to Kasi Vishwanathar Temple. These bas reliefs can be dated to 9^th to 10^th century AD. Both the Tirthankara images are in kayotsarga (Standing) position. One of them is clearly Parswanathar with serpent hood over the head and Dharmendra flanked umbrella to protect the lord. This bas relief depicts kamatha episode of Parswanathar life. Another bas relief is also adjacent to the first one. This Tirthankara is also in standing position with attendant deities and recognized as Suparshwanatha by the scholars. There are three another Jain sculptures with inscriptions on a boulder now enclosed in Hindu temple named Palani Andavar Temple.

Location

Jain Caves:

On the top part of this hillock there are some natural caverns containing Jain Rock beds. These beds are very small and narrow to fit for a human in sleeping position. On the side edge of the rocky beds there are some ancient inscriptions dating to 2 century BC to 1 century BC in Tamil Brahmi script. These inscriptions contain information about the donors who created these Jain rock beds. One important inscription is engraved on the pillow side of the rock bed contains information that the place has the connections with ancient Ceylon. This record mentions the donor as house holder from Ceylon (ilakutumpikan) and a resident of Erukattur.

Jain Caves – 1

Location

Jain Caves – 2

Location

Connectivity

Jain Monuments are located at about 700 meters from Thiruparankundram Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Thiruparankundram Railway Station, 9 Kms from Madurai, 7 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 7 Kms from Madurai Railway Junction, 8 Kms from Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, 7 Kms from Madurai Koodal Azhagar Temple, 13 Kms from Thirumangalam and 9 Kms from Madurai Airport.

There is a bus stand with bus services connecting Thiruparankundram with other parts of Madurai and adjacent villages. Buses are available from Madurai Periyar Bus Stand. All the buses moving from Periyar Bus Stand to Thirumangalam go through Thiruparankundram. Frequent bus services are available from in and around Madurai. Route Nos. 5, 14, 22, 48, 49 and 52 from Periyar bus stand & Mattuthavani Bus stand covers Tiruparankundram. Also, Mofussil buses heading towards Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli crosses here which seldom stops.

Thiruparankundram railway station is 6 Kms from Madurai Junction. Tiruparankundram Railway Station is in between Madurai and Thirumangalam railway stations, on the Chennai – Kanyakumari railway track. All passenger Trains running between Madurai and Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kollam stops at Tiruparankundram. Also, Tuticorin – Mysore Express stops here. Nearest Airport is Madurai Airport.