All India Jain Temples and Tourist Places

Author(s): B C Nagraj
Publisher: ITI Jains Association, Bangalore

Page 90

The jain temples of Tamil nadu are beautiful for its art and architecture, but are difficult to access and are less known to the outside world.
The hill stations of Ooty and Kodaikanal are famous resorts and flocked by tourists. The Madumalai wild life sanctuary is also a most visited place.
Tamil is the main language spoken in the state. 250. CHENNAI : (Capital City of Tamil Nadu, 2157 kms from Delhi, 334 km to Bangalore)
This is one of the big metro cities of India and gateway to South India. This is a big industrial and business centre and is a port city. There is a digambar Jain temple at Subramanya Mudaliar Street, Sahukar pet. The Govt. museum here houses many jain statues.
The other important places to be seen here are (1) Marina beach: This is one of the longest beach. (2) Kapaleswar temple (3) Parthasarathy temple (4) Valluvar Kottam : A memorial for the Saint poet Thiruvalluvar (5) Snake Park etc.
Dharmashala : Sri Chandraprabha Digambar Jain Dharmashala 34, Subramanya Mudaliar Street (near Pilleyar Koil Street) Sahukarpet, Chennai - 1. 251. MAHABALIPURAM :(60 kms from Chennai)
This small village on the sea shore was a famous harbor several centuries ago under the Pallava kings. The 'Shore Temple' here on the back drop of deep blue sea is a beautiful sight. The face of a huge rock here is carved with figures of Gods, Godesses and divine persons. It also displays the ‘Arjuna Penance' and “Descent of Ganga". This bas relieved panel is the longest and finest of its kind anywhere.
Five individual structures known as 'Pandav Rathas' has been carved out of big boulders and are the beautiful example of earlier Dravidan architecture. All these construction dates back to 7th Century A.D. 252. ARUNGAKULAM : (88 kms from Chennai on Tiruttani Road, Chengalput dist.)
It is one of the ancient jain centres in Tamil Nadu. The temple here belongs to Lord Dharmanatha Thirthankara and is 1000 years old. This temple has a unique architecture. On the birthday of presiding deity
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