Samanar Hills

Located in Keelakuyilkudi village near Madurai, Samanar Hills is where Tamil Jains used to come to escape the persecution they feared from the rulers of Madurai. It is a famous hill rock complex which was originally the home of Jain monks. There is a network of caves inside the hill, the caves are home to nine species of bat, and there are also remains of Jain sculptures and carvings. Samanar Hill is a protected national monument. You have to leave plenty of time for sightseeing - you should not miss visiting top attractions like Samanar Hills in Madurai. You will find various sculptures of Mahavira, Gomateshwara, Yakshi, and Yaksha, with inscriptions in Brahmi language across the entrance of the cave and at different points within it. The hill caves are popular for drawings and carvings of Jain monks on the cave walls. A beautiful lotus temple is also located here which attracts tourists.