Mallinathaswamy Jain Temple

On the northern edge of town, this small but historically significant Jain temple is dedicated to Mallinatha, the 19th Tirthankara. The temple dates to the Chola period and carries stone inscriptions that record royal grants and donations spanning several centuries.

The shrine is modest compared to the Rajagopalaswamy complex — a single sanctum with a carved stone image of Mallinatha in a meditative posture, surrounded by a small mandapam. The carvings on the pillars show a blend of Jain iconography and Dravidian temple architecture. It sees few visitors, so you may need to ask around for the caretaker to open it. The temple is a quiet reminder of the religious diversity that once characterised the Cauvery Delta.

things to do sight
A story
The temple's presence in a predominantly Vaishnavite town points to a period when Jainism had deep roots in the Chola heartland. Inscriptions at the site date patronage back to the medieval Chola dynasty, and the temple survived because the Chola kings maintained a policy of supporting multiple faiths simultaneously.