Tirumalai, Tiruvannamalai - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 46 km from Thiruvannamalai, Tirumalai is a small village located near Polur in Tamilnadu. It is one of the places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the must-include places in Tiruvannamalai tour.

Tirumalai, also known as Arhasugiri, is renowned for its exquisite temple complex featuring 2 Jain temples, 3 Jain caves, and a 16-foot-high sculpture of Tirthankara Neminatha from the 12th century CE, which stands as the tallest Jain image in Tamil Nadu. This site has been a significant Jain center since ancient times, with a belief that 8,000 Jain monks who accompanied Bhadrabahu performed penance and attained nirvana here. Additionally, the footprints of four revered saints - Vrishabhsenacharya, Samanatabhadracharya, Varadattachrya munivar, and Sri Vadeepa Simhasuri, can be found here.

Perched on the hill is a 16-foot-high idol of Tirthankar Neminath in the Kayotsarga posture, also known as ‘Shikhamani Nadar’. Historical inscriptions reveal that this statue was sponsored by Kundavai. Nearby, there is a small temple housing an ancient idol of Tirthankar Parshwanath in the Kayotsarga posture as the primary deity. Visitors can also witness the footprints of Digambar Jain Acharya 108 Sri Shanthisagar Muni Maharaj on the hill.

At the foot of the hill, there are a few Jain caves dating back to the 10th century. As per the inscription dating back to 1024 CE present here, they are loosely known as Kundavai Jinalaya. Kundavai was the pious elder sister of the great Rajaraja Chola (985-1014). This inscription mentions the conquests of Rajendra Chola I and his offerings to the Kundavai Jinalaya temple. These caves showcase paintings of Samavasarana, Jambu-Dweepa, and other themes. Carvings of Tirthankar Neminath, Kamatopasarga Parshwanath, Goddess Kushmandini/Ambika, Lord Bahubali, and other Jain deities can be found in one of the caves. Additionally, this cave provides details about the Samadhi of Muni Sri Vadeebha Simha, the author of “Gadya Chinthamani”. Adjacent to the Jain caves, there are two Digambar Jain temples. One of these temples enshrines the clay idol of Tirthankar Vardhaman Mahavir in sukhasana as the primary deity, while the other temple houses the idol of Tirthankar Neminath. The Mukha Mantapa of the latter temple contains the idol of Adinath in Sukhasana. In close proximity to the hill lies the Digambar Jain Math, which was established in 1998. Within the premises of the Jain Math, one can find the Panchakuladevi temple, Padmavati temple, and Chandranath temple. The Panchakuladevi temple is home to the idols of Goddess Chakreshwari, Jwalamalini, Kushmandini, Padmavati, and Varahi Yakshi.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free