ABSTRACT
Scholars in search of the earliest material traces of Jainism in Tamil Nadu invariably turn to the numerous hills, caverns and rock-shelters found across the state. Epigraphical material gleaned from the sites has also been examined to help characterise the Jain activities in the early historical period. The medieval reliefs carved at the ancient sites are typically located on a section of rock near the rock-cut beds, or were carved on a separate rock formation that is in close proximity to the residences. Although Tirupparankunram is mostly known for its carved reliefs and rock-cut shrines to Murugan, Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, and Ganesha, this enormous granite outcrop, located 8 km south-west of Madurai, also features ancient Jain rock-cut beds and a few 9th-century-CE reliefs. The location of carved imagery high up on these rock outcrops suggests a more practical function in terms of visibly and immediately marking the sites as Jain.
