Samanar Hills, Madurai
Samanar
Hills or Samanar Malai is a small hillock located near Keela Kuyilkudi Village
in Madurai District of Tamilnadu. Translation of Samanar Hills or Samanar Malai
in Tamil is 'Jain Hill’, this archeological treasure lies on the opposite side
of the Nagamalai Hill. Samanar hills are beautiful blend of nature with
history. It boasts ancient caves with carvings dating back to 1st century A.D.
Samanar
hill has many prominent sculpture and ancient inscriptions giving an insight
into the history and into the Jainism religion which flourished here during
ancient times. The inscriptions on the hills are said to be more than 2000
years old. These caves were the homes of many Jain monks during ancient era. The
hill has been declared as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Etymology
Samanar means Jain in Tamil and malai means hill. This hill has
caves where Tamil Jain (Samanar)
monks lived. The hill was also known as Thiruvuruvagam.
Jain
Temples & Caves
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Karuppanna
Swamy Temple, Keela Kuyilkudi
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Inscriptions
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
Samanar Hills
is situated on the Nagamalai-Pudukottai Road. Samanar Hills is located at about
1.5 Kms from Vadivelkarai Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Keelakuilkudi Bus Stop, 8 Kms
from Thiruparankundram, 11 Kms from Madurai, 10 Kms from Madurai Periyar Bus
Stand, 15 Kms from Madurai Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus, 10 Kms from
Madurai Railway Station and 17 Kms from Madurai Airport. Tourists can either
book a cab from Madurai to the hills or take a bus. Samanar Hills is connected
via all the major modes of transportation.
