Table of Contents
What is the meaning of Samanar?
Samanar is derived from Sanskrit word Sramana, colloquially denoting any ascetic tradition. In contemporary Tamil Nadu, the word is equated with the Jain tradition. In Tamil language, malai means ‘hill’. Thus Samanar malai denotes a “Jain hill”.
Was Tamil Nadu a Jain?
Jainism has an extensive history in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, although practiced by a minority of Tamils in contemporary times. According to the 2011 India Census, Jains represent 0.12\% of the total population of Tamil Nadu, and are of the Digambara sect.
Who killed Jains in Tamil Nadu?
Composed after the Nampi version, sometime in the second half of the 12th-century, Sambandhar is depicted in Takkayakapparani as one born on the earth to exterminate the Jains. In this version, Sambandar defeated the Jains in a war-like contest.
Why did Jains settle in shravanabelagola in Tamil?
The inscription on the rocks of Chandragiri, dating back to the Ganga dynasty of Mysuru, mentions that Bhadrabahu, Jain ascetic, migrated to the South from Ujjain in the fifth century BC along with 12,000 followers and settled in Shravanabelagola, due to famine that was sweeping north India of that time.
How many Jain caves are there in Madurai?
But coming back to the Jain caves Madurai . this site was also historic for its presence of inscriptions written in Tamil Brahmi and Kannada, the former over 2200 years old and also dating back to pre Ashoka era. There are over 15 caves in and around Madurai with several ancient inscriptions in the same script.
Where did Jain people come from?
Scholars of religion generally hold that Jainism originated in the 7th–5th century bce in the Ganges basin of eastern India, the scene of intense religious speculation and activity at that time.
When did Jainism start in Tamilnadu?
The marginalisation today of Tamil Jains — or ‘Samanars’ as they were once known — is in stark contrast to their position and numbers in first millennium AD. Jainism reached Tamil Nadu in around 300 BC and flourished here, with indigenous Tamils followers.
Why is Samanam used for Jainism in Tamil Nadu?
The term Samanam is used for Jainism in Tamil Nadu because Jainism has appropriated the Samanam tradition more than other sub sects of Samanam like Buddhism, probably because it has the concept of Theerthangarars, who are humans like saints of Samanam and arrival of Jainism before other sects to Tamil Nadu.
What is the meaning of the Tamil word ‘Samanar’?
Samanar means Jain in Tamil. It is derived from the Sanskrit shramana, which refers to all hermits, not just Jains, or more specifically those who prefer meditation and austerities to Vedic rituals in all matters spiritual. Malai is Tamil for hill.
Who are the Jains in Tamil Nadu?
The Tamil Jains are ancient natives of Tamil Nadu and belong to the Digambara sect. They generally use the title Nainar. A few in Thanjavur District, use Mudaliar and Chettiar as titles.
What is the origin of Jainism in India?
The exact origins of Jainism in Tamil Nadu is unclear. However, Jains flourished in Tamil Nadu at least as early as the Sangam period. Tamil Jain tradition places their origins are much earlier. The Ramayana mentions that Rama paid homage to Jaina monks living in South India on his way to Sri Lanka.