• Mrs. Shyni T.S
• Dr. O. Reegan

The origin of Jainism is mystery. The Jains believe that Jainism is as old as Vedic religion. Vardhamana Mahavira is the founder of this religion. Kanyakumari has great historical heritage and Kanyakumar district is considered as the fertile place for the growth of civilization. There are evidences to show that the people lived here from very early period. Archaeological remains belonging to the Neolithic period are found in different places of Kanyakumar district. In addition to that, a huge amount of burial urns have been identified in Vilavancode Taluk. All though Kanyakumari is the sacred place for Hinduism, other religions like Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism have also established a hold in this district. Among those religion Jainism spread in this district during the early days of Christian era and it flourished during the 7th to 8th centuries A.D. Literary sources testify that places such as Chitharal, Thirunanthikkarai and Nagercoil were the important centres of Jainism. The Jain Temple of Nagercoil was converted into a Nagaraja Temple. Similarly, the Jain Cave Temple in Tirunandhikkarai was also converted into Siva Temple.

Jainism, rock-cut cave Temple, Archeology, sculptures, scriptures, karma.

"JAINISM IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no.1405-1410, December-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812E02.pdf

"JAINISM IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no. pp1405-1410, December-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812E02.pdf