AnonyMo at 06:28, 26 March 2026

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{{Short description|none}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}

[[File:Kazhugumalai Jain beds (10).jpg|thumb|[[Kalugumalai Jain Beds]] ]]
{{Jainism}}
'''Jainism''' has an extensive history in the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]], although practiced by a minority of Tamils in contemporary times. According to the 2011 [[Census of India|India Census]], Jains represent 0.12% of the total population of Tamil Nadu,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref> and are of the [[Digambara]] sect. Tamil Jains are primarily concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu, in the districts of [[Madurai district|Madurai]], [[Viluppuram district|Viluppuram]], [[Kanchipuram district|Kanchipuram]], [[Vellore district|Vellore]], [[Tiruvannamalai district|Tiruvannamalai]], [[Cuddalore district|Cuddalore]] and [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]].

==History==
[[File:அரிய சித்தன்னவாசல் ஒவியம் (Rare Siththanna Vaasal Painting).jpg|thumb|left|[[Sittanavasal Cave]] painting, 7th century]]

Early [[Tamil-Brahmi]] inscriptions in Tamil Nadu dated to the 3rd century BCE and describe the livelihoods of Tamil Jains. The oldest known Tamil kings were recorded to follow the Jain religion which makes Jainism, the second oldest religion in Tamil Nadu.
Inscriptions dating back to 8th century CE were found in [[Tiruchirappalli]] narrating the presence of Jain monks in the region.<ref>{{citation |title=Eighth century artefacts on Jainism at Rockfort lie neglected, damaged |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/Eighth-century-artefacts-on-Jainism-at-Rockfort-lie-neglected-damaged/articleshow/52709779.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=16 July 2016 }}</ref>

The [[Kalabhra dynasty]], who were patrons of Jainism, ruled over the entire [[ancient Tamil country]] in the 3rd–7th century CE.<ref name="kulke">{{cite book|last1=Kulke|first1=Hermann|author-link1=Hermann Kulke|last2=Rothermund|first2=Dietmar|author-link2=Dietmar Rothermund|title=A History of India|date=2007|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=9780415329200|page=105|edition=4th|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RoW9GuFJ9GIC|access-date=7 September 2016|language=en}}</ref>

[[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]]s followed [[Hinduism]] but also patronized Jainism. The [[Trilokyanatha Temple]] in [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Chitharal Jain Temple]] were built during the reign of the [[Pallava dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thread/arts-culture-society/article8179948.ece|title = Looking for Jina Kanchi|newspaper = The Hindu|date = February 2016|last1 = Jain|first1 = Mahima A.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Chitharal| website=Tamil Nadu Tourism| url=http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/citiestowns/Kanniyakumari2.aspx?catid=c1&subcat1id=c1s1&subcat2id=c1s1s7 | access-date=23 March 2017}}</ref>

The [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandyan]] kings were initially [[Jains]] but later became [[Shaivaites]].<ref name="EB">{{cite web|title=Pandya dynasty|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pandya-dynasty|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> The [[Sittanavasal Cave]] and [[Samanar Malai]] are Jain complexes that were built during the reign of [[Pandyan dynasty]].

The [[Chola]]s patronised Hinduism, however, Jainism also flourished during their rule.{{sfn|Sastri|2002|p=339}} The construction of [[Tirumalai (Jain complex)|Tirumalai cave complex]] was commissioned [[Kundavai|Queen Kundavai]], elder sister of [[Rajaraja Chola I]]. The [[Tirumalai (Jain complex)|Tirumalai cave complex]] consists of 3 Jain caves, 2 Jain temples and a {{convert|16|m|feet}} high sculpture of Tirthankara [[Neminatha]] which is the tallest idol of Neminatha and the largest Jain idol in [[Tamil Nadu]]. The Digambara Jain Temple in [[Thirakoil]] and the [[Mallinathaswamy Jain Temple, Mannargudi|Mallinathaswamy Jain Temple]] in [[Mannargudi]] were both built during the reign of the [[Chola dynasty]].

=== Decline of Jainism ===
[[File:Impalement Mural at Avudaiyar Koil ஆவுடையார் கோயில் கழுவேற்றும் ஓவியம்.jpg|thumb|185px|left|[[Impalement of the Jains in Madurai|Impalement of Jains by Sambandar at Madurai]]]]
Royal patronage has been a key factor in the growth as well as the decline of Jainism.{{sfn|Natubhai Shah|2004|pp=69–70}} The Pallava king [[Mahendravarman I]] (600{{nsndns}}630 CE) converted from Jainism to Shaivism under the influence of Appar.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=409}} His work ''[[Mattavilasa Prahasana]]'' ridicules certain Shaiva sects and the Buddhists and also expresses contempt towards Jain ascetics.{{sfn|Arunachalam|1981|p=170}} Sambandar converted the contemporary [[Pandyan dynasty|Pandya]] king to Shaivism. During the 11th century, [[Basava]], a minister to the Jain king [[Bijjala II]], succeeded in converting numerous Jains to the [[Lingayatism|Lingayat]] Shaivite sect. The Lingayats destroyed various temples belonging to Jains and adapted them to their use.{{sfn|von Glasenapp|1925|pp=75–77}} The [[Hoysala dynasty|Hoysala]] king [[Vishnuvardhana]] (c.{{nbsp}}1108{{nsndns}}1152 CE) became a follower of the [[Vaishnava]] sect under the influence of saint [[Ramanuja]], after which Vaishnavism grew rapidly.{{sfn|Das|2005|p=161}}

== Art ==

=== Influence on Tamil literature ===
[[File:Tamil palm-leaf manuscript of Ciṟupañcamūlam 2.jpg|A palm leaf manuscript with ancient Tamil text [[Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi]]|300x200px|thumb]]
Parts of the [[Sangam literature]] in Tamil are attributed to Jain authors.
[[File:Mangulam inscription.jpg|thumb|[[Mangulam]] inscription dated 3rd century BCE]]
Parts of the [[Sangam literature]] in Tamil are attributed to Jains. Tamil Jain texts such as the ''[[Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi]]'' and ''[[Nālaṭiyār]]'' are credited to Digambara Jain authors.{{sfn|Cort|1998|p=163}}{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=116–117}} These texts have seen interpolations and revisions. For example, it is generally accepted now that the Jain nun Kanti inserted a 445-verse poem into ''Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi'' in the 12th century.{{sfn|Zvelebil|1992|pp=37–38}}{{sfn|Spuler|1952|pp=24–25, context: 22–27}} The Tamil Jain literature, according to Dundas, has been "lovingly studied and commented upon for centuries by Hindus as well as Jains".{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=116–117}} The themes of two of the Tamil epics, including the ''Silapadikkaram'', have an embedded influence of Jainism.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=116–117}}
Some scholars believe that the author of the oldest extant work of literature in Tamil (3rd century BCE), [[Tolkāppiyam]], was a Jain.<ref name=Encyclopaedia>{{Cite book | last = Singh | first = Narendra | title = Encyclopaedia of Jainism | publisher = Anmol Publications | year = 2001 | pages = 3144 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pHZwgrLlOkUC | isbn = 978-81-261-0691-2}}</ref>
[[S. Vaiyapuri Pillai]] suggests that Tolkappiyar was a Jain scholar well-versed in the Aintiram grammatical system and posits a later date, placing him in southern Kerala around the 5th century CE. Notably, Tolkappiyam incorporates several Sanskrit and Prakrit loanwords, reflecting its historical and linguistic context.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Tamil Language and Literature (Beginning to 1000 A.D.) |author=Prof. S. Vaiyapuri Pillai |publisher= |year=1956 |pages=62–68}}</ref>

A number of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions have been found in Tamil Nadu that date from the 3nd century BCE. They are regarded to be associated with Jain monks and lay devotees.<ref>Early Tamil epigraphy from the earliest times to the sixth century A.D. Iravatham Mahadevan, Harvard University Press, 2003</ref><ref>http://jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=595&cat=42 Recent Discoveries of Jaina Cave Inscriptions in Tamilnadu by Iravatham Mahadevan</ref>

Naṉṉūl (Tamil: நன்னூல்) is a work on Tamil grammar written by a Tamil Jain ascetic Pavananthi Munivar around 13th century CE. It is the most significant work on Tamil grammar after Tolkāppiyam.

Some scholars consider the [[Tirukkural]] by [[Valluvar]] to be the work by a Jain.<ref>Tirukkural, Vol. 1, S.M. Diaz, Ramanatha Adigalar Foundation, 2000,</ref><ref>Tiruvalluvar and his Tirukkural, Bharatiya Jnanapith, 1987</ref><ref>The Kural, P. S. Sundaram, Penguin Classics, 1987</ref> It emphatically supports [[moral vegetarianism]] (Chapter 26) and states that giving up animal sacrifice is worth more than a thousand offerings in fire (verse 259).<ref>{{cite book|last=Das|first= G. N.|year= 1997| title= Readings from Thirukkural | publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn= 8-1701-7342-6|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=pDZilIimNRIC&pg=PA11 |pages=11–12}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=A. A. Manavalan |title=Essays and Tributes on Tirukkural (1886–1986 AD) |year=2009 |publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies |location = Chennai|edition = 1|page=128}}</ref>

[[Silappatikaram]], a major work in Tamil literature, was written by a Samaṇa(jain), [[Ilango Adigal]]. It describes the historical events of its time and also of the then-prevailing religions, Jainism, and [[Shaivism]]. The main characters of this work, [[Kannagi (Tamil mythology)|Kannagi]] and [[Kovalan]], who have a divine status among Tamils, were Jains.

According to [[George L. Hart]], the legend of the [[Tamil Sangams]] or "literary assemblies" was based on the Jain ''sangham'' at [[Madurai]]:
<blockquote>There was a permanent Jaina assembly called a Sangha established about 604 CE in Maturai. It seems likely that this assembly was the model upon which tradition fabricated the cangkam legend."<ref>The Milieu of the Ancient Tamil Poems, Prof. George Hart</ref></blockquote>

Jainism began to decline around the 8th century, with many Tamil kings embracing Hindu religions, especially [[Shaivism]]. Still, the [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukya]], [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] and [[Pandya Dynasty|Pandya]] dynasties embraced Jainism.

=== Jain structures ===
[[File:Tirumalai 3329.JPG|Mahavir Swami temple, [[Tirumalai (Jain complex)|Tirumalai]]|thumb]]
There are 26 caves, 200 stone beds, 60 inscriptions, and over 100 sculptures in and around [[Madurai]]. This is also the site where Jain ascetics wrote great epics and books on grammar in Tamil.<ref>{{citation|author=S. S. Kavitha |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/namma-madurai-history-hidden-inside-a-cave/article4051011.ece |title=Namma Madurai: History hidden inside a cave |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 October 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Sittanavasal Cave]] temple is regarded as one of the finest examples of Jain art. It is the oldest and most famous Jain centre in the region. It possesses both an early Jain cave shelter, and a medieval rock-cut temple with excellent fresco paintings comparable to Ajantha paintings; the steep hill contains an isolated but spacious cavern. Locally, this cavern is known as ''"Eladipattam"'', a name that is derived from the seven holes cut into the rock that serve as steps leading to the shelter. Within the cave there are seventeen stone beds aligned in rows; each of these has a raised portion that could have served as a pillow loft. The largest stone bed has a distinct [[Tamil-Brahmi]] inscription assignable to the 2nd century BCE, and some inscriptions belonging to the 8th century BCE are also found on the nearby beds. The Sittannavasal cavern continued to be the "Holy Sramana Abode" until the 7th and 8th centuries. Inscriptions over the remaining stone beds name mendicants such as Tol kunrattu Kadavulan, Tirunilan, Tiruppuranan, Tittaicharanan, Sri Purrnacandran, Thiruchatthan, Ilangowthaman, Sri Ulagathithan, and Nityakaran Pattakali as monks.<ref>{{citation |author=S. S. Kavitha |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/preserving-the-past/article100194.ece |title=Preserving the past |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 February 2010 }}</ref>

The [[Kalugumalai Jain Beds|Kalugumalai temple]] from the 8th century CE marks the revival of Jainism in Tamil Nadu. This cave temple was built by King Parantaka Nedunjadaiya of [[Pandyan dynasty]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/15/stories/2003091503060500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031013104218/http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/15/stories/2003091503060500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2003 |title=Arittapatti inscription throws light on Jainism |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=15 September 2003 }}</ref>

[[Mel Sithamur Jain Math]] is headed by the primary religious head of this community, [[Bhattaraka Laxmisena]] Swami.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2FGSGmP4jNcC |title=Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and Culture
| first=Vilas Adinath |last=Sangave|publisher=Popular Prakashan|date=2001 |access-date=2012-05-27|isbn=9788171548392 |page=135 }}</ref>

==Complexes==
* [[Tirumalai (Jain complex)|Tirumalai]]
* [[Kalugumalai Jain Beds]]
* [[Thirakoil]]
* [[Samanar Hills]]
* [[Sittanavasal Cave]]
* [[Armamalai Cave]]
* [[Mangulam]]
* [[Vallimalai Jain caves]]
* [[Thirupparankundram Rock-cut Cave and Inscription]]
* [[Onampakkam#Kurathimalai|Kurathimalai]], [[Onampakkam]]
* [[Keelavalavu#Panchapandavar Malai|Panchapandavar Malai]]
* [[Seeyamangalam#Rock Cut Jain Temple|Seeyamangalam]]
* [[Kanchiyur#Jain cave and stone beds|Kanchiyur Jain cave and stone beds]]
* [[Cholapandiyapuram#Andimalai|Andimalai Stone beds]], [[Cholapandiyapuram]]
* [[Nehanurpatti#Adukkankal|Adukkankal]], [[Nehanurpatti]]
* [[Ennayiram#Ennayira Malai .28Ancient Jain cave.2C beds and inscriptions.29|Ennayira Malai]]

<gallery>
File:Tirumalai_Neminatha_Statue.jpg|The 16 meter statue of Neminath, the tallest Jain sculpture in Tamil Nadu.
File:Thirakoil-Parsava nathar.JPG|Parshvanatha at Thirakoil, 8th Century
File:Onampakkam Mahaveerar.JPG|Mahaveer Swami at Kurathimalai, 8th Century AD
File:Kizhavalavu (Kilavalavu) -Jain Sculptures.JPG|Jain Reliefs at Panchapandava Bed, [[Keelavalavu|Kizhavalavu]], 9th Century
File:Vardhaman Keezhakuyilkudi.jpg|Image of Mahavira at Samanar Hills, 9th century
File:Jain Sculptures at Othakakai, Madurai.jpg|Jain Sculptures at Othakakai
File:Chitharal malaikovil.jpg|Chitharal malaikovil, before 425 AD
File:Seeyamangalam Jain image.JPG|Mahavir, Parshavanatha and Bahubali, Seeyamangalam, 9th century
File:Jain Sculptures, Jain Cave, Vallimalai.jpg|Tirthankar and Ambika, Vallimalai Jain caves, 9th century
</gallery>

==Temples==
* [[Mel Sithamur Jain Math]]
* [[Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Temple]]
* [[Arahanthgiri Jain Math]]
* [[Trilokyanatha Temple]]
* [[Vijayamangalam Jain temple]]
* [[Alagramam Jain Temple]]
* [[Karanthai|Karanthai Jain Temple]]
* [[Chitharal Jain Monuments|Chitharal Malai Kovil]]
* [[Poondi Arugar Temple]]
* [[Adisvaraswamy Jain Temple, Thanjavur]]
* [[Chandraprabha Jain Temple, Kumbakonam]]

<gallery>
File:Tiruparuthikundram (15).jpg|[[Trilokyanatha Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
File:Jain temple, Mettupudur 2.jpg|[[Vijayamangalam Jain temple]]
File:Mel Sithamur Jain Math, Tamil Nadu.JPG|Mel Sithamur Jain Math headed by [[Bhattaraka Laxmisena]]
File:Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Temple.png|Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Temple
File:Upper Temple Complex at Tirumalai.jpg|Arahanthgiri Jain Math
File:Desur Digambar Jain Temple.jpg|Shri Adinatheeswarar Jain Temple, Desur
File:Chitharal jain temple1.jpg|Chitharal Jain Temple
File:Gingee_Jain_Temple_6.jpg|Gingee Jain temple, [[Villupuram district]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{commons category}}
{{Portal|Religion}}
* [[Religion in Tamil Nadu]]
* [[Tamil Jain]]
* [[Kalugumalai Jain Beds]]
* [[Thirakoil]]
* [[Kanchiyur#Jain cave and stone beds|Kanchiyur Jain cave and stone beds]]

==References==
=== Citation ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{citation |last=Shah |first=Natubhai |title=Jainism: The World of Conquerors |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qLNQKGcDIhsC |volume=I |date=2004 |orig-date=First published in 1998 |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |isbn=81-208-1938-1 |ref={{sfnref|Natubhai Shah|2004}} }}
* {{citation |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G.|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC |date=2002 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |volume=1 |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 }}
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* {{citation |first=Oliver |last=Freiberger |title=Asceticism and Its Critics: Historical Accounts and Comparative Perspectives |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2cbCr7M4SJ8C&pg=PA127 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-1997-1901-3 }}
* {{citation |last=von Glasenapp |first=Helmuth |author-link=Helmuth von Glasenapp |translator=Shridhar B. Shrotri |title=Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation |trans-title=Der Jainismus: Eine Indische Erlosungsreligion |url={{Google books|WzEzXDk0v6sC |plainurl=yes}} |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint: 1999) |year=1925 |location=Delhi |isbn=978-81-208-1376-2}}
* {{citation |editor-last=Cort |editor-first=John E. |editor-link=John E. Cort |title=Open Boundaries: Jain Communities and Cultures in Indian History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoHfm7BgqTgC |publisher=[[SUNY Press]] |date=1998 |isbn=0-7914-3785-X }}
* {{citation |first1=Denise |last1=Cush|first2=Catherine |last2=Robinson|first3=Michael |last3=York|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3N4mGlbutbgC |year=2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-18978-5 }}
* {{citation |first=Kamil |last=Zvelebil|title=Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qAPtq49DZfoC |year=1992|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-09365-6 }}
* {{citation |first=Bertold |last=Spuler|title=Handbook of Oriental Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kx4uqyts2t4C|year=1952|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-04190-7 }}
* {{citation |last=Dundas |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Dundas |title=The Jains |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X8iAAgAAQBAJ |edition=Second |date=2002 |orig-date=1992 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=0-415-26605-X |location=[[London]] and [[New York City|New York]] }}
*{{citation |first=K. A. N. |last=Sastri |author-link=K. A. Nilakanta Sastri |orig-date=1955 |year=2002 |title=A History of South India: From Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar |publisher=Oxford University Press}}

{{Jain temples}}
{{Jainism topics}}

[[Category:Jainism in India]]
[[Category:Religion in Tamil Nadu]]

Jainism in Tamil Nadu - Revision history

AnonyMo at 06:28, 26 March 2026