Chitharal Rock Jain Temple
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is a historic Jain temple located in the village of Chitharal in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is built on a hillock and is dedicated to Thiruthondar, a Jain monk who is believed to have attained enlightenment at the site. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and is a popular tourist attraction in the region.
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century AD, although some historians believe it may be even older. The temple is built entirely out of granite and consists of a series of shrines, each dedicated to a different Jain deity. The main shrine is dedicated to Thiruthondar and contains a large stone statue of the monk. The temple also has a number of inscriptions and carvings that depict the Jain way of life and the teachings of the Jain religion.
The Chitharal Rock Jain Temple is a protected monument and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is an important place of worship for Jains and is visited by many tourists every year who come to see its beautiful architecture and learn about the Jain religion.
The Chitharal Rock Jain TempleJain temple was carved out of a natural cave. The temple’s interior features a pillared mandapa and three sanctums. Jain motifs can be found in the pillared hall and sanctums. The Hindu temple is located to the south of the Jain temple. It appropriates elements of the Jain structure and treats the artwork associated with Padmavati Devi as Hindu tradition. A mandapam, a varandah corridor, and a balipeetham with a kitchen (madappalli) carved into a natural overhanging rock are all part of the Hindu temple. Several inscriptions were discovered on steps, pillars, and walls of the Hindu temple as it was cleaned and restored over time. Scholars such as Gopinath Rao have been able to better date the temple as a result of these discoveries.