Jainism in Tamil Nadu

Inscriptions dating back to 8th century CE were found in Tiruchirappalli narrating the presence of Jain monks in the region.

[2] The Kalabhra dynasty, who were patrons of Jainism, ruled over the entire ancient Tamil country in the 3rd–7th century CE.

[7] The construction of Tirumalai cave complex was commissioned Queen Kundavai, elder sister of Rajaraja Chola I.

[9] His work Mattavilasa Prahasana ridicules certain Shaiva sects and the Buddhists and also expresses contempt towards Jain ascetics.

[11] The Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana (c. 1108–1152 CE) became a follower of the Vaishnava sect under the influence of saint Ramanuja, after which Vaishnavism grew rapidly.

For example, it is generally accepted now that the Jain nun Kanti inserted a 445 verse poem into Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi in the 12th-century.

This epic is a major work in Tamil literature, describing the historical events of its time and also of then-prevailing religions, Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism.

M. Karunanidhi, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and writer stated that "the virtuous Jains have adorned our 'Tamil mother' with innumerable jewels of literary works.

Locally, this cavern is known as "Eladipattam", a name that is derived from the seven holes cut into the rock that serve as steps leading to the shelter.

Within the cave there are seventeen stone beds aligned in rows; each of these has a raised portion that could have served as a pillow loft.