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Jain Temple in Chennai
 Location
: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Significance
: First Jain Temple In South India With 3 Gopurams And 5
Doors
Deity Worshipped : Lord Parsvanatha,
Jain
Mandir is one of the most important Jain mandirs in the city. It is the
first Jain temple in South India with 3 Gopurams and 5 doors; it has
marble carvings based on the principle of the famous 'Dilwara' temples.
The main deity of the temple is Lord Parsvanatha who is the 23rd
Tirthankara in Jainism. According to Jain scriptures the colour of God
was green. So in order to have a special idol made, quartz was selected
from the Chellur mines near Tumkur, Karnataka. The idol was made with
tools used for cutting precious stones like diamonds. The temple is
built only of marble and does not contain any ironwork. For its
construction, architects, carvers and workers were brought in from
Rajasthan. The main prayer hall has exquisite glasswork, a rare sight in
South India. A unique feature of this Jain temple is that Jain acharyas
(priests) walk all the way from North India to visit and stay here for 'Chatur
Masa'. ('Chatur Masa' is a period of four months when Jain acharyas stay
and give discourses on Jainism to the devotees).
HOW TO GET THERE
Air : Chennai has an airport with both
domestic and international terminals. Regular flights connect Chennai
with the major cities within the country and also with countries like
USA, Singapore, U.K etc.
Rail : Chennai is well connected by rail
with the important towns and cities within and beyond the state.
Road
: State transport buses and private buses connect Chennai with the major
towns and cities within the country. For local transportation, local
trains, city buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are available.
WHERE TO STAY
Varied accommodation options are available for the tourists at the
hotels in Chennai.
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