TAMILNADU.

01 :

MEL - CHITTAMUR TEERTH.

LOCATION :

20 kms from Trivandrum.

This place is also famous as "Jin-Kanchi Math". A fantastic statue of Bhagwan Parshvnath attracts the worshippers. Illusionary statues are embossed on the pinnacle crest and finial. In ancient time this was a Jain colony. A statue of Bhagwan Neminath is available. It is said this statue was erected in Mailapur, were a Church of saint Thomas exists nowadays. After destruction of that temple it was transferred to this place. One Bhattarak Gaddi is existing in the temple.

It is said that ascentic shri sandhi and pandit came here and this temple was established by them. In the ancient time there was a Jain Math in Kanchivaram but is has now been shifted here and shri Laxmi senji pattacharaya is managing this temple. Jain idols of silver, emerald and other jewels are placed in timber almirah.

The idol of Bhagwan parshvanath is charming. Thousands of palm frond books are in the Math. Hindi/English/Malyalam and kannad language books are also available. Every year a function is held for ten days on the auspicious occasion of Bhagwan Mahaveer Jayanti which is attend by thousands of people.

02 :

ADEESWAR TEMPLE OF POLAL.

The history of Sri Adeeswar temple of Polal is interrelated to the birth and development of traditional Jainism in Tamilnadu. The original temple is believed to be of hoary antiquity and its sanctity is beyond doubt. Among the temples of antiquity, sanctity, historical and religious importance of the Jains of Tamilnadu, the Adeeswar temple of Polal occupies an unique position in the annals of sough Indian Jainism. This temple is situated about nine miles away from Madras City in the village of Polal near the Redhill lake lying a few yards away from the grand trunk road linking the city of Madras with its neighbouring towns. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Adi Bhagwan, Adeeswar, Adinath, Adi Jain, Rishabhadev, the first Teacher of Jainism. Polal temple is mentioned in literature, inscriptions and legends current among the people of Tamilnadu. They provide substantial evidence in support of the antiquity and sanctity of the temple. It was a noted center of worship and religious studies in days of yore, and the village was a flourishing town inhabited by a large number of Jains adhering to traditional way of religion and also by Vaishnavas for their worship. The people of Polal followed their respective religions and lived in bonds of brotherhood. In the neighbouring suburbs of Polal are several villages, inhabited by Jains even today. One would see in these villages the vestiges of Jainism in ruined temples and images. All these facts go to prove that Polal was once a noted religious and cultural center, and the premier town of the area known as Kotalam, celebrated for its sanctity of religious worship and scriptural studies, for its Jain ascetics and scholars, its Brahmin pandits and priests who guided the people to live in brotherhood and peace.

The original temple is believed to have been built in the first Century B.C. According to a legend Valluvar who lived at Mylapore in the closing years of the first Century B.C. or in the early years of the first Century A.D. was a constant worshipper of this image of Adi Bhagwan installed in the Polal temple. The first couplet in the Kural opens with adorations to Adi Bhagwan the first omniscient teacher of Jainism.

Another view is also expressed by the archeologists and scholars that the temple belonged to the Pallava Period from the 4th to 8th Century A.D. Some inscriptions found in the temple as well as some adjoining Hindu Temples go to show that the renovation of the Adeeswar temple had taken place in the twelfth or 13th Century A.D. and that some lands were gifted by kings for its maintenance. After the trunk road was opened, the temple attracted many pilgrims and tourists from different parts of India.

This temple was in a ruined state and needed renovation and also amenities for worship and facilities for accommodating the pilgrims and providing them with food and other needs of religious life.

03 :

SRI JAIN SWETAMBER DADABADI TEMPLE.

LOCATION :

24, Konnur High Road, Madras-23.

Sri Jain Swetamber Dadabadi has been built in memory of Gurudev and Gurudev's footprints are seen in many temples. Founded around the year 1838 (Vikram Samvat 1895) Sri Jain Swetambar Dadabadi Temple & Gardens situated on the Konnur High Road in Ayanavaram, Madras-23, at its junction with the Government Hospital Road. It covers roughly 150 grounds (6 Cawnies 7 grounds 1523 Sq. ft.) and the entire area is walled. The Gurudev (Dada Saheb) Temple is about 137 years old. To the right of this temple there is a very big hall flanked on one side by a choultry and the other by a beautiful tank.

The management is vested in Dadabadi Sri Jin-Kudalsuriji Jin-Chandrasuriji Trust.

Around 1928 Lord Sumathinath temple was constructed at the northern end of the gardens.

Twice a year about 20,000 people visit the temples, on Full Moon days of the Hindu Kartik & Chaitra months. Even on ordinary days about 500/1000 come for Darsan.

04 :

CHENNAI JAIN TEMPLE.

LOCATION :

Well connected with road/rail and airways from all the important places of India.

Chennai the capital of Tamilnadu State is a gateway to South India. It is a Principal harbour and has one has one of the finest beaches in Asia. This city retains a charm and characteristics of the South.

05 :

KANCHIPURAM JAIN TEMPLE.

It is famous for its handwoven silk and cotton sarees. This city with its fabled silks, is also one of the seven sacred cities in India. It was successively the capital of the pallavas, the cholas and Rajas of Vijaynagar. During the seventh to eight century, some of the best temples in the city were built by the pallavas here.

06 :

KANYAKUMARI JAIN TEMPLE.

The bay of Bengal is a Junction of Bharat Sagar and Arabian sea. Kanyakumari temple, Vevekanand shell, Gandhi mandup are the Sight-seeing places.

07 :

MADURAI JAIN TEMPLE.

LOCATION :

483 kms from Chennai 118 from Rameshwaram, and 60 from Tiruchirapalli.

It is a famous religous and tourist place. In ancient time, the Meenakshi temple was famous in the name of Shri Dharamdevi Kushmandani Mateshwari. This temple has gigantic towers and a hall of thousand pillars. There was a colosics idol of Bhagwan Neminath and many idols of other Tirthankars. It is said that decrement kind of jewellers costing millions is available in this temple. Many Jin bimbs have been hidden. The peak point of the gate is made of gold polished on copper. 108 pillars chambered ceilling canopies lotus are made on the roof. These pillars have the symbols of Jainism. It is credence that Meenakshi Devi was Jain. There are 21 hills all around the city, and Jin Bimba are inscribed on some of the hills. There are huge caves for Jain saints. This entire area was related to Jain Saints Arishtnemi, Maghnandi, Gunsen, Vardhaman, Kanaknandi etc.

08 :

MAHABALIPIRAM JAIN TEMPLES.

An hour's drive from Chennai is the ancient seaside town of Mahabalipuram the cradle of Dravidian temple architecture. Its rock-cut temples, pavilions and relic scullptures constructed twelve centuries ago are best of their kind. It is also Known as Mamallapuram and was a seaport built by an emperor of the pallava dynasty during the seventh century. It is well known for its monuments and solid rocks. The temples, ravaged by the elements, still bear testimony to the ancient culture of south India. Several places of interest may be conveniently visited in the following travel sequence :-

1. Arjuna's penance.
2. Varaha Mandapa.
3. Krishna Mandap.
4. The five Rathas.
5. Mahishasuramardhini Cave and
6. Shore temple.

09 :

PUZHAL TEMPLE.

LOCATION :

Two kms. from Red hills village and 15 kms. from Chennai.

This is an ancient and popular tirtha of Tamilnadu. Here a very grand image of the first Tirathankara Lord Rsabhadeva is installed. A grand statue of Lord Parsvanatha is also installed here.

This Tirtha is 1500 years old. King Koorumbar of Chola dynasty, who was a great devotee to Jina, constructed this temple. In ancient times, this place was popularly known as 'Puzhal Kotalam'. In the same temple, a very glorious image of Bhagavati Padmavati Devi is also installed. Thousands of devotee come to visit this place. Near the temple, there is a modern choultry and dining Hall.