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Yanaimalai (Elephant Hill) is a List of State Protected Monuments in Tamil Nadu, protected monument and tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu, India. It has Jainism, Jain sculptures, a Shaivism, Shaivite temple, and a Vaishnavism, Vaishnavite temple, namely the Narasingam Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple.
Two Hindu temples are present in the foothills, one being the Ladan cave temple (Ladan koil), a Shaivite temple dedicated to Muruga, and the other being Ugra Narasimha Perumal Temple, Yoga Narasimha temple, a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Vishnu. Both are rock-cut temples constructed by the Pandyas, belonging to the 8th century. The place where the Ugra Narasimha temple is situated is known as Narasingam. Tamil-Brahmi and Vattelettu inscriptions in the temples shows their history. The Jain temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The hill is rich in granite, and has been damaged by illegal quarrying. In 2010, the government of Tamil Nadu tried to set up a sculpture garden on the hill, but backed out after locals and activists protested against the idea.
File:YanamalaiJainsculptures (2).jpg, Jain Sculptures
File:YanamalaiJainsculptures (3).jpg, Jain Sculptures
File:YanamalaiJainsculptures (4).jpg, Jain Sculptures
Yanaimalai (Elephant Hill) is a List of State Protected Monuments in Tamil Nadu, protected monument and tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu, India. It has Jainism, Jain sculptures, a Shaivism, Shaivite temple, and a Vaishnavism, Vaishnavite temple, namely the Narasingam Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple.
Etymology
The hill derives its name from the Tamil language, Tamil word ''yaanai'', meaning "elephant", and ''malai'', meaning "hill". The hill looks like an elephant in a sitting position. The site has had this name for over 2000 years.Location
Yanaimalai is located in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated from 10 km from Madurai Mattuthavani bus stand. The hill stretches over and is high.About
Yanaimalai is considered a sacred place by the Tamil Jain. Jain monks lived here during the Pandyan Dynasty. At the top of the hill can be found caves containing Jain Relief, bas relief sculptures of Mahavira, Gomateshwara, and other tirthankaras fashioned by Jain monks. There are also stone beds used by the monks for resting. Tamil-Brahmi and Vatteluttu alphabet, Vattelettu inscriptions can be found on the hill.
Two Hindu temples are present in the foothills, one being the Ladan cave temple (Ladan koil), a Shaivite temple dedicated to Muruga, and the other being Ugra Narasimha Perumal Temple, Yoga Narasimha temple, a Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Vishnu. Both are rock-cut temples constructed by the Pandyas, belonging to the 8th century. The place where the Ugra Narasimha temple is situated is known as Narasingam. Tamil-Brahmi and Vattelettu inscriptions in the temples shows their history. The Jain temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The hill is rich in granite, and has been damaged by illegal quarrying. In 2010, the government of Tamil Nadu tried to set up a sculpture garden on the hill, but backed out after locals and activists protested against the idea.
Gallery
References
{{reflist Hills of Tamil Nadu Archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu Jain rock-cut architecture Hindu temples in Madurai district Geography of Madurai Caves of Tamil Nadu Tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu 8th-century Jain temples