Mallinatha Swamy Temple is a Jain temple in Mannargudi, an ancient town in the erstwhile Chola Empire of Tamil Nadu. Mallinatha is the 19th Tirthankara of the Jain faith.
Shrine’s History
This is an ancient temple built during the reign of the Chola dynasty in the twelfth century. It is very famous among all the ancient tirths of Tamil Nadu. Apart from the idol of Bhagawan Mallinathar which is divine and very impressive, there are idols of Dharma Devi, Saraswathi Devi, Padmavathy Devi, Jawalamalini Amman and other in the temple which is also miraculous and impressive.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By RoadThe nearest Bus stop is MannargudiBy RailThe nearest railway station is Mannargudi, hardly one km from the temple.
By AirThe Nearest airport is Civil Airport.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Every year during the summer 11-day festival i.e. Thiruvizha or Bramorchavam will be celebrated in a grand manner. Currently, in Tamil Nadu, it’s happening in very few Jain temples. Last two days of the festival is very famous. 11th-day Thiruvizha is called Kannadi Pallkku, in this Sri Jawalamaini Amman will give darshan to the devotees. No other Jain temples in Tamil Nadu is having this unique Pallkku. Jainism flourished in Tamil Nadu and was called Samanam in Tamil. Samanam predates all faith of Tamil People. There are plenty of archaeological evidence dating back to 250 BC, on the outskirts of all ancient towns. Jain Munis or The Samana Munivargal travelled from north passing through a Karnataka and settled in outskirts of the flourishing towns of those days and established Samana Palli’s or Jain Schools with the patronage of the well to do wealthy people of that town. Most of the early Tamil literature were a contribution of these Samana munivars.