Chitharal, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu India

The Chitharal Jain Monuments are located in a small village situated at a distance of 7 km from Marthandam and 55 km from Kanyakumari. Chitharal is historically known as Thirucharanathupalli – the abode of Jain monks belonging to Digambara sect. It is famous for the hillock which has a cave containing rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside dating back to the 9th century. Jain influence in this region was due to the Jain King Mahendra Verman-I (610-640).It was converted into a Bagavathy Temple in the 13th Century A.D. Chitharal hills are locally called Chokkanthoongi Hills. Now this place is famous as Malaikoil. The temple is a protected monument under Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Plenty of visitors visits and enjoy the beauty of Chitharal hill and cave temple. Visit the place as a pilgrim not as a tourist.