News on Jainism around the world

This news section compiles reports from the Indian Express about the Jain heritage of southern India, focusing on temples in Kerala and Kanyakumari. It recounts how Jain monks travelled to the South during the Mauryan era, accompanying Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and the Jain teacher Bhadrabahu. Their aim was to find a secluded place conducive to meditation, leading them to settle in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The article describes the Bhagavat (Bhagavathi) temple at Chithral (Thirucharanathumalai), which sits on a hill and houses a natural spring: pilgrims must drink water by sucking through a hole in a rock. Over time, the temple passed into Hindu hands, but it retains Jain carvings and is locally believed to have been visited by Jain monks. The report lists other ancient Jain temples in Kanyakumari district, such as Thirucharanathu Bhagavathi, Mahadeva at Tiruannandakkkarai, Nagaraja at Nagercoil and Kurathiyurai, noting that many are neglected and some are in ruins. The article laments that despite being declared national monuments, these temples suffer from vandalism, theft and lack of maintenance; pilgrims and tourists are often unaware of their Jain origins. A detailed description is given of the Chithral hill temple: the upper cave houses sculptures of Mahavira, Pārśvanātha and Padmāvati Devi, along with a triple umbrella (prabhavali) above the main deity and continuous relief carvings. The lower cave contains a carved pedestal and two perennial water holes believed to be sacred. Nearby, a palm‑leaf inscription in Vatteluttu script records donations to the temple. The article highlights that the temple’s Gopuram (tower) and mandapa (hall) are architecturally significant but are crumbling due to neglect. The writer notes that the Chithral temple is associated with the local name “Thirucharanam,” meaning “holy feet,” suggesting its connection with Jain ascetics. Many local families maintain a tradition of worship there during festivals, but authorities have not provided signage or information to educate visitors about its Jain origin. The report also calls attention to ruins at the Nagercoil Nagaraja temple and the presence of scattered Jain statues in private farmland, emphasising how heritage can be hidden in plain sight. The news piece urges the Archaeological Survey of India and local authorities to preserve these important relics, to document them thoroughly and to promote awareness among the public. It concludes by emphasising that Jain pilgrimage sites in southern India are invaluable for understanding the spread of Jainism beyond its northern heartland and that protecting them is essential to honouring India’s pluralistic heritage.

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