Jainism in Kerala

External video
	Documentary on Jainism in Kerala
	Documentary on Jain temples in Kerala

Jainism has had a continued presence in Kerala since pre-Christian times with Jainism in Kerala enjoying an extensive heritage and history.¹ At present, Jainism in Kerala has a very small following, mainly from the original Jains of Kerala and the migrant Jain business community.

Origin of Jainism in Kerala

Jainism came to Kerala in the third century BC soon after Chandragupta Maurya (B.C. 321-297), accompanied by the Jain monk Bhadrabahu, travelled to Shravanabelagola near Mysore (in present day Karnataka). Their followers are believed to have journeyed further south, into present day Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in search of suitable places for meditation. By the start of the Christian era, Jainism was well established in Kerala. Ilango Adigal, author of the Tamil epic Silappadikaram, was among the notable royal patrons of the Jain religion in Kerala. He lived in Trikkanaa-Mathilakam which attained fame as a centre of Jain culture and learning.

Jainism started its decline in Kerala during the 8th century resurgence of the Saivite and Vaishnavite movements, and by the 16th century it had almost disappeared. Some Jain shrines from these times still remain, notably in Jainamedu, near Vadakkanthara, Palghat, and in Sultan Battery in Wynad. Many Jain temples also got demolished during Tipu Sultan's raid.

There were many Jain temples spread over Kerala in ancient times. The temple at Koodalmanikyam in Irinjalakuda is believed to have been among them. The belief is that it was dedicated to Bharatheswara, a Digambar Jain monk (his statue can be seen in Shravanabelagola). Jainism declined in popularity in Kerala during the Saivite and Vaishnavite resurgence, and many Jain shrines, among them Koodalmanikkyam, became Hindu temples.²³⁴⁵ The temple at Kallil, in Perumbavoor, was believed to have been a Jain shrine to Parsvanath, Mahaviran, and Padmavathi Devi. Now it is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Devi, but Jain pilgrims also come to pray at the shrine.⁶⁷⁸

The temple architecture of Kerala owes much to Jain Vaasthu Silpa.

Main Temples

A district wise list of the Jain temples in Kerala-

Wayanad

Anantnath Swami Temple, Puliyarmala, Wayanad (Situated on the Kalpetta Mananthavady road, about 5 km from Kalpetta town)
Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple, Wayanad
Sri Adlswara Swami Temple, Mananthavady, Wayanad
Anandapuram Shri Adlshwara Swami Temple, Puthiyadam, Wayanad (8 km from Mananthavady town)
Parswanatha Swamy Jain Temple Palukunnu, Wayanad (3 km from Panamaram town)
Shri Parswanatha Swamy Kshethram, Anjukunnu, Wayanad (3 km from the Mananthavady Kalpetta main road)
Shri Chandranatha Swamy Temple and Bhagwan Bahubali Statue, Puttangadi (Wayanad) (3 km from Panamaram Town)
Shri Ananthanatha Swamy Temple, Varadoor (Wayanad)
Shri Shanthinatha Swamy Temple, Venniyode (Wayanad) (6 km from Kambalakad town)
Shri Chanadrnatha Giri (Myladi Para), Kalpetta (Near SKMJ HS)

Kasargod

Chathurmukha Basati, Jain temple, Bengara, Manjeshwar, Kasargod
Parswanatha Basati Jain temple, Bengara, near Hosangadi, Manjheswar, Kasargod

Palakkad

Jainimedu Jain Temple, Palakkad (Route- Vadakkumthara to Palakkad town)

Ernakulam

Jain temple in Mattancherry (Kochi)- This Jain temple is dedicated to Theerthankara Shree Dharmnath Swamy. It has completed 100 years and has become a Theerth. A sthanak is also there inside the big temple complex. There is a big Jain Community in Kochi.
Mahaveer Digambar Jain Temple (Kochi) - This Temple is in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi and presently under construction.