Madurai has been a center of diverse faiths for over 1,300 years, fostering religious harmony under various rulers. The city and its surrounding areas once served as a sanctuary for Jainism, and even today, it retains a rich cultural confluence despite changing political landscapes.
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| hiruparankundram Jain hills, Madurai, Tamilnadu |
Thiruparankundram and Samanar Hills, located near Madurai, hold significant Jain heritage, featuring ancient rock carvings, Jain muni images, and inscriptions within caves. These sites, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), reflect the deep historical roots of Jainism in the region. Please refer to: (https://www.navrangindia.in/2023/11/thiruparankundram-madurai-rare-ancient.html )
Thiruparankundram, about 9 km from Madurai, is also sacred to Hindus as it is home to one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. The hill, on the other side, also houses the Kashi Vishwanath and Subramanya Swami Temple, situated on a 1000 plus feet high granite hillock.
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| Jain cave painted green near Madurai, TN thecommunemag.com |
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| Jain caves atThiruparankundram Hill painted green indiaherald.com |
Above images: Centuries old ''Jain caves'' complex at Thiruparankundram Hill, a ASI protected monument near Madurai was vandalized recently. The entrance of the cave was painted in green. The defacement of the Jain caves has sparked outrage from historians and conservationists, who view it as an attack on Tamil Nadu's rich heritage, creating a bad precedent............
Recently, ASI officials began removing green paint that had been deliberately applied to ancient Jain caves at Thiruparankundram Hill, an act of vandalism that came to light after ASI’s Assistant Conservation Officer, Shankar, filed a complaint. The Thiruparankundram police registered a case under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act), and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 (PDPPA), but the perpetrators remain unidentified.
Thiruparankundram Hill is historically significant, containing Tamil Brahmi inscriptions from the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE, as well as bas-reliefs of Parsvanatha and Mahavira from the 8th to 9th century. However, recent events have sparked tensions in the area.
On December 27, 2024, police detained a family attempting to bring goats and roosters to the hilltop dargah for ritual sacrifice. The group, led by Syed Abu Dahir from Malaiyadipatti, protested when they were stopped, triggering demonstrations by local Muslim residents. On January 5, 2025, another group gathered at the hill demanding access to the mosque for prayers. When police denied their request, tensions escalated, resulting in scuffles and several detentions.
Further unrest followed after the announcement of an "Equality Feast" (Samaanbhojan) planned for January 18, where social media posts suggested goat and rooster sacrifices would take place. Fearing communal clashes, authorities imposed security measures, including barricades and searches, to prevent livestock transportation to the site. When Jamath members were informed that animal sacrifices were prohibited, confrontations with police ensued, further disrupting the region.
Amid these tensions, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), has been accused of orchestrating events to inflame conflict. On January 21, 2025, DMK Manapparai MLA Abdul Samad conducted an unauthorized survey of the temple, allegedly asserting control over the hill. The same day, IUML leader Navas Kani claimed in an interview that the dargah falls under the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board’s jurisdiction, adding to the controversy.
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| Hindu temple and Karthigai deepam stand at thiruparamkundram hill, .opindia.com |
The situation at Thiruparankundram highlights the complex interplay of history, religion, and politics, underscoring the need for careful preservation of its heritage while ensuring communal harmony in the region. Such controversies and religious disputes over places of worship are uncalled for and, in the present global political scenario, it is the duty of the politicians and responsible citizens to take the country forward.
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