Yanaimalai, Madurai - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 13 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Yanaimalai is a protected monument and tourist attraction located in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the prominent places to visit as part of Madurai packages.

Yanaimalai, also referred to as Elephant Hill, is a significant historical site located in Tamil Nadu, India. This hill extends over a distance of 3 kilometers and rises to a height of 90 meters (300 feet). Its name is derived from the Tamil words 'yanai,' meaning 'elephant,' and 'malai,' meaning 'hill,' as its shape resembles an elephant in a seated posture, with the trunk positioned to the left and the body to the right.

This notable hill is believed to have been inhabited by the Tamil people, one of the oldest indigenous communities in South India, as early as the 3rd century BCE. At the base of the hill, two Hindu temples can be found: the Ladan cave temple, a Shaivite temple, and the Yoga Narasimha temple, a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Both of these rock-cut temples were constructed by the Pandyas in the 8th century. The area where the Yoga Narasimha temple is located is known as Narasingam. The Mandapa in front of this temple was built by officials under the Vijayanagar ruler Krishnadevaraya. In addition to inscriptions from the rarly Pandyas, the temple also contains epigraphs from the Later Pandyas, Cholas, and Vijayanagar-Nayak dynasties.

To the south of the Yoga Narasimha Temple lies a cave temple known as Ladan Koil, which is dedicated to Lord Murugan. In the sanctum sanctorum, Murugan is depicted seated alongside his consort, Devayanai. The architectural style of the temple is a harmonious blend of Dravidian and Pandya influences, featuring intricate carvings and sculptures that illustrate various narratives from Hindu mythology. The Veda Narayana Perumal Temple, dating back to the 13th century AD, is situated at the northernmost corner of Yanaimalai Hill, an area referred to as Thungavanam. Within this vicinity is a lotus tank known as Brahmatirtha. An epigraph from the 13th century (Kulasekara Pandya, A.D. 1288) inscribed on a rock beside the tank references the existence of a temple garden named Alagiyamanavalan. It is noted that during the hunting festival, Kalamega Perumal would visit this location to partake in the celebrations.

Yanaimalai serves not only as a site of religious significance but also as an area of archaeological interest. Historical accounts suggest that Jain monks resided here during the Pandyan Dynasty. At the summit of the hill, one can find caves adorned with Jain bas relief sculptures of Mahavira, Gomateshwara, and other tirthankaras, crafted by Jain monks. Additionally, stone beds utilized by the monks for rest are present. Inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi and Vattelettu can also be discovered on the hill. The Jain temple has been designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free