Yanaimalai - Monuments - Tamilnadu
The tale of Yanamalai is as old as time goes. As legend goes, it is believed that the Chola King who could not defeat the Pandya King in battle sought the aid of Jains who with their mystical powers created an elephant so big to destroy Madurai. But the Pandya king prayed to Lord Shiva who turned the elephant into a stone. It has remained there ever since guarding the city of Madurai.
Specialty
The Yanaimalai was declared as a protected monument by the Archeological Survey of India. It is a three kilometer long hillock which houses at its base a 5000 year old Yoga Narasimha temple. This monument resembles the shape of an elephant and almost looks like a huge wall protecting Madurai. Another important historic landmark surrounds this monument. The Ladan Cave temple which is one among the cave temple shrines built during the Pandian reign. It is dedicated to the Hindu god, Muruga and is of religious importance. The Yanamalai itself is a sacred place for the Tamil Jains. It was during the reign of the Pandyas that Jain monks resided in the caves of this great monument. Many sculptures resembling Gomateshwara, Mahavira and other Jain Tirthankara sculptures can be found in these caves.
How To Reach :
By Air - The nearest airport is the Madurai international airport which is at a distance of 25 kilometers from the monument.
By Rail - The nearest railway station is situated at a distance of 13 kilometers from the monument.
By road - Madurai is well connected by the State government buses and national highways connect the city to other parts of the country.