Samanar Hills, Madurai - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 10 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Samanar Hills is a rocky stretch of hills located near Keelakuyilkudi village in the Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, India. Also known as Samanar Malai or Amanarmalai or Melmalai, it is one of the prominent places to visit as part of Madurai heritage packages.

Situated at the intersection of NH-44 and NH-85, the Samanar Hills, characterized by their rocky terrain, begin near the village of Keelakuyilkudi and extend eastward towards southern Madurai. These hillocks are significant for housing numerous Jain and Hindu monuments. The Archaeological Survey of India has designated the Samanar Hills as a protected site. The name 'Samanar' translates to Jain in Tamil, while 'malai' means hill.

The Samanar Hills feature a range of monuments that date from the 2nd century BC to the 12th century CE. Among these, two notable collections of Jain monuments stand out - Settipodavu site & Pechchipallam site. The Settipodavu site, located at the southwestern slope, includes a Jain cave from the 10th century, which is accessible via a short ascent from the base. This site has an image of Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara of Jainism, along with flat stones that served as resting places for Jain monks.

On the southeastern slope, at a higher elevation, lies the Pechchipallam site, which contains eight Jain sculptures, including those of Bahubali, Mahavir, and Parsvanatha, notable for their rare iconographies. These Tirthankara sculptures are believed to have been created by Jain monks during the 9th century BCE. Additionally, several Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions have been discovered atop the Samanar Hills; however, their translations do not definitively link them to Buddhism, Jainism, or Hinduism. At the foothills, a restored Karuppu Swami temple, dedicated to a rural folk deity, Karuppu Sami, can be found. The serene ambiance of the area is further enhanced by a lotus pond located at the base of the hills.

Archaeological evidence suggests that a Jain school once existed at the summit of the hills. Numerous inscriptions in Kannada and Tamil provide insights into this educational institution, known as Maadevi Perumpalli, which attracted many Jain monks and nuns seeking knowledge. It is reported that members of the Pandyan Dynasty visited this school, and senior monks from Shravanabelagola in Karnataka also pursued their studies here.

Visitors are required to ascend approximately 300 steep steps to arrive at the summit of the hill, which may take up to two hours for a one-way journey. The hike is of moderate difficulty and may not be suitable for elderly individuals. The panoramic view of the surrounding areas from the hilltop makes the climb worthwhile.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free