Chitharal Rock Jain Temple (Malaikovil)

History about the temple

Engravings found at the Chitharal Jain Monuments site and somewhere else, for example, the Kalugumalai Jain Beds recommend that the historical backdrop of these landmarks stretch out over the first thousand years CE, for certain engravings in the Hindu sanctuary dateable in the thirteenth century. In these recorded engravings and writings, this site is likewise alluded to as Thirucharanathupalli, or just Tiruccaranam.  The hillock is additionally alluded to as Tiruchcharanattu malai, which implies the "slope blessed to the charanas".  The site comprises beds and two landmarks. The more established stone cut Jain beds with engravings and dribble edges among the rocks at the site are the soonest Jain landmark in the southernmost piece of India. The Archeological Survey of India expresses that the beds are from the first century BCE to 6th century CE.  The cavern sanctuary and principle Jain landmark is from the ninth century, with three sanctums that have consistently had Jain iconography – Parsvanatha, Mahavira and Padmavati since they were cut in-situ from the stone and have not been harmed. Close to it is a Hindu sanctuary devoted to goddess Bhagavati which was likely added after the ninth century, and extended with mandapa and other Hindu sanctuary design components through the thirteenth century dependent on epigraphic proof of contributors.

About the temple

The Chitharal Jain Monuments are arranged close to the southern tip of peninsular India, around 55 kilometers northwest of Kanyakumari (Highway 66) and around 4 kilometers upper east of Kuzhithurai town (Highway 90). They are on the Thiruchanattu Malai privately known as Chokkanthoongi Hills. The landmarks are on the north side of Chitharal town, Kanyakumari area, Tamil Nadu, India. From the passage board, they can be reached by generally slashed strides in rocks, tough, middle cashew, coconut and elastic manor trees.

Nearby places to visit

1. Vivekananda Rock Monument

Timing: 8am – 4pm

Entry fees: Rs.50

2. Thiruvalluvar statue

Timing: 8am – 4pm

Entry fee: Rs 20 or 50 for quick darshan 

3. Many places to visit.


ADDRESS

Marthandam, Vellamcode, Kanyakumari, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India

Pincode: 629151


HOW TO REACH

Road: By road it is 64 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 42 Kms from Kanniyakumari

Railway: Nearest Railway Station : Kuzhithurai . The Chitharal Jain Monuments are located in a small village situated 9 km from Kuzhithurai station.

Airport: Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Chitharal Jain Rock Cut Temple can be reached by bus or train from Thiruvananthapuram.


TIMING

Morning: 05:00am - 09:00pm

Contact No.: 8958224212


STAY/FOOD

Dharamshala: NO

Bhojanalay: NO