MADURAI - SAMANAR HILLS
About:
Samar hills or Samanamalai is an exquisite spot, located 15 kilometers away from Madurai. A small hillock, it is home to caves and carvings, dating back to around 1 AD. The carvern here is believed to have been home to Jain monks about 2000 years ago.
These hills have caves where Tamil Jains resided for over a long period of time. It is also called as Thiruvuruvagam. It is worth if you climb the hills in the early mornings or during the evenings. It has several inscriptions, stone beds and many sculptures. The two important and famous sculptures are the Settipodavu and Pechipallam, that show images of Jain Tirthankaras made by Jain monks in the 9th century.
The thing about the Jainism is that, Jain devotees think even breathing will cause or hinder another life form such as bacteria or something present in the atmosphere and they die without eating and breathing, which they call it as sallakena (death by fasting). These are evident from the inscriptions inside here. In the foothills, there lies a temple called as the Karuppasamy temple and a lotus pond. There are some idols present in the temple, which were made by the Jains.
This is the place for one who in interested about Jainism and to know about their Lifestyle!
Route : Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Terminus to Jain Cave, Sculptures & Inscriptions, Samanar Malai - 15.5Km
Central Periyar Bus Stand, Madurai to Jain Cave, Sculptures & Inscriptions, Samanar Malai - 10 Km
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