Imprints of Jain Heritage

In the Sangam period few rulers patronised Jainsm.  Wandering monks made South India as their home. There are many monuments, Jain viharas and rock cut temples standing as a proof that Jainism was once a major religion being followed by many. In  Sithannavasal we can see  2nd century Jain caves which are famous for its paintings. And on the other side of the cave, we can find 17 Jain beds. A Small Jain Monastery existed in this place. In Polur near Thiruvannamalai, many Jain temples and cavern are found. Kundavai nachiar of Chola empire adopted Jainism and helped to propagate Jainism in this place.In Thiruparankundram there are Rock cut carvings of Jain Bikshus or Tirthankaras. Keelakuyilkudi Samanar malai is also famous and we can see jain caves around the hills. Jain monks lived here 2000 years ago and a lot of stone carvings depict the Jain monks . Samanar hills also known as Madevi perumpalli, where Jain monks and nuns came here to get education. We can see many inscriptions on the hill. Yanaimalai in Madurai has also caves where jains lived.  It is believed that the Jains made these places as their abode during the 6th , 7th and 8th century.Kazhugumalai caves must belong  to the 8th century. There are more than 26 jain caves found near Madurai.In Pudukottai district we can find Jain caves  near Viajalayacholleswaram.
We can see the footprints of Jain in other parts of Tamil Nadu also. Armamalai cave paintings at Malaiyampattu village near vellore , Ranjankudi near perambalur and Chitral near Kanyakumari also have caves and paintings of Jainism.  In Melsithamur  1200 year old jain temple is a living monument and poojas are being performed even today.