Keelakuyilkudi - Tamilnadu

Keelakuyilkudi Jain Monument is an important historical site in Keelakuyilkudi village, Madurai district, India, Tamil Nadu. The monument is of cultural and religious significance as it is one of the few Jain rock caves in the area. Keelakuyilkudi Jain monument features stone blocks carved from granite rock. The caves are believed to have been built in the 8th century AD and are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras, who are revered as their Jain spiritual teachers.
Keelakuyilkudi's main cave is called Mahavira Mandapa and is named after Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara Lord of Jainism. The cave is adorned with sculptures and carvings depicting various scenes of Jain myths and legends. The main attraction of the Jain cave is a statue of Lord Mahavira about 17 feet high. The statue is depicted in a sitting position (called padmasana – a significant posture in yoga)
Besides its historical and religious significance, the Keelakuyilkudi Jain Monument is an important archaeological site near Madurai that attracts scholars, researchers and tourists who are interested in exploring Tamil Nadu's rich heritage.