Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

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PROTECTED JAINA MONUMENTS
Sathyabhama Badhreenath Superintending Archaeologist, A.S.I.,
New Delhi - 110 011
Archaeological Survey of India has protected more than 5000 monuments as momuments of National Importance all over India. The criteria for declaring monuments as of National importance is that the monuments should depict unique cultural aspects of National value.
These monuments include, Hindu, Jaina, Buddhist, Islamic and secular structures. For the purpose of our discussion, this article covers only those Jaina monuments that are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India - Chennai Circle. Of the 2487 monuments protected by ASI Chennai Circle, 42 monuments are of Jaina affiliation. The activities of the Jainas has been predominant all over Tamilnadu and dates from 2nd century BC to 14th - 15th century. A.D. They include a wide variety of architectural embellishments from natural caverns to rock-cut temples and finally to structural temples. These monuments are situated in the districts of Madurai, Pupukottai, Tiruchirapalli, Villupuram, Vellore and Erode.