Lord Neminatha Temples in Tamil Nadu
Summary
S. Thanya Kumar surveys important Jain temples dedicated to Lord **Neminatha**, the 22nd tirthankara, in Tamil Nadu. The article focuses on **Tirumalai Tirth**, a hill complex north‑west of Polur with three Jain caves, two temples and a 5‑metre‑tall black statue of Neminatha. Inscriptions reveal that the site, also known as **Kundvai Jinalaya**, was built by Rajkumari Kundvai, sister of a Chola king, and that it received donations from Chola and Pallava queens. The temple complex is believed to have hosted a **samavasaran** (preaching assembly) of Neminatha; local legend says the Pandavas commissioned the idol for worship. More than fifty inscriptions from the 11th century record endowments of perpetual lamps and offerings, indicating the prosperity of Jain communities in the region. The article notes that Tirumalai is still an active pilgrimage centre: annual festivals on Śravaṇa Sukla 6 and Pausha Sukla 3 attract thousands of devotees. The site is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, yet traditional worship continues. Kumar also mentions other Neminatha temples, including the **Kunthavai Jinalaya** (10th century) which houses the monolithic statue, a 16th‑century **Mahavir temple** and a 17th‑century **Parshvanath temple**. By describing the architecture, inscriptions and legends, the article highlights the continuity of Jain heritage in Tamil Nadu and the patronage of rulers who supported Jain shrines.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The article emphasises that Tamil Nadu’s Neminatha temples are not only places of worship but also repositories of art, inscriptions and history. The colossal statue at Tirumalai and the numerous inscriptions show that Jainism enjoyed royal patronage and a large following in the Chola and Pallava periods. By chronicling festivals and ongoing rituals, the author shows that these temples remain vibrant centres of devotion, linking today’s pilgrims with a thousand‑year‑old tradition.