Tamil Nadu Identifies 480 Jain Archaeological Sites

Jain archaeological remains have been found in 37 out of 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, covering around 480 sites, many of which are in need of protection, said Pon. Rajendra Prasad Jain, a member of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission.

He spoke at the national seminar on “Jainism in South India – History, Art and Culture” held at the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation on Friday. Mr. Jain said that a memorandum has been sent to district collectors asking them to take steps to preserve and protect these important sites.

He added that the State government supports the protection of these archaeological sites and will work with the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department to safeguard them.

Many of the Jain sites are historically and culturally significant, reflecting centuries of Jain heritage in Tamil Nadu. Preserving these sites is seen as important to maintain the state’s rich cultural history and to promote awareness about Jainism in South India.

Officials and experts at the seminar highlighted the need for regular maintenance, security, and public awareness programs to ensure that these archaeological sites are not damaged or neglected.

The initiative aims to protect Tamil Nadu’s Jain heritage for future generations and encourage research, tourism, and educational programs around these ancient sites.