Around 400 Jain families once lived in Jainimedu, where their shrines and caves still exist

Palakkad is famous for its Jain caves and monuments spread over many parts of the district. Jainism was spread across Kerala once; ample evidences prove that Palakkad, along with Wayanad, was one of their major settlements.

According to many historians, the Jain monks entered Kerala through three routes — namely Mangalore, Wayanad and Konghunadu enclosing Salem and Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu.

The eminent historian Dr. A. Velupillai, in his epigraphical evidence of Tamil studies, states that Shravanabelagola near Srirangapattanam, the capital city of Tipu Sultan, was one of the principal seats of Jainism in South India.

Jain shrine

The ‘Digambar' shrine dedicated to Chandraprabha, the eighth ‘Thirthankara' in Jainism, had been in a dilapidated condition for long in Jainimedu, situated on the banks of the Kalpathy river, between Olavakkode and Chunnambuthara.

According to Jainism, a Thirthankara is a human being who achieves ‘moksha' through asceticism, and then becomes a role model and teacher for those seeking spiritual guidance.

Under renovation

Legend says that the Jainimedu temple was constructed in a 12-acre plot by a family of diamond traders who came from Kanahalli in Karnataka 500 years ago.

The temple, which is in a dilapidated condition, is under renovation now. The shrine, built on huge granite blocks, is now located in a 70 cents of land. The 32-feet high structure comprises four ‘aras' (divisions) with walls devoid of glittering ornamentations and decorations.

Vibrant settlement

It is a fine example of the Jain architecture in Kerala. It is now managed by Manikka Pattanam Sree Chandraprabha Digambara Basti Trust.

At one time at Jainimedu, there were 400 Jain families, most of them diamond and pearl traders. Thus Jainimedu was known as ‘Manikyapattanam' (Diamond town) and ‘Muthpattanam' (Pearl town). The eastern part of Palakkad town — Chandranagar — was also said to be a Jain settlement.

Mundur M.K. Krishnan