Samanar Jain Hills, Keelakuyilkudi - Historical landmark in Kilakuyilkudi - Madurai, India

The place is not very popular, but it's a must visit! It's actually quite a rocky hill, where some Jain monks have carved steps on the rock many centuries back, so you could climb on top. There are some ancient statues etc on your way up. Lovely panoramic views of the city. Sunset is awesome!

Go to place for peace away from the city sounds, The view from the peak of the hills is beautiful. It would take 30 minutes for the common person to reach the peak from the bottom. Steps with trails are available to some extent. Carrying water and snacks would be recommended for all. Temple is located at the bottom. lake with lotus, and large fishes maintained. Watching a variety of fish from small to large would create scenic views and a pleasant feel for the viewers. Open Parking is available.

Witness a historical site and the sculptures. Gives you a good feeling to be on the site of the Jains who migrated to this place and practiced Jainism. The sculptures carved on the rocks are very impressive. The footsteps carved on the rocks lead to the hill. A nice view of the surroundings is waiting on top of the hill. A temple on the bottom of the hill also gives some historical backgrounds.

Had great experience of climbing hills after a long time. A bit tough for women as it is slope but can manage. Only the samanar statue would be there and no other things ro watch. But we can climb to watch a view spot

The beautiful views from the Samanar Hills make them among the top tourist attractions in Madurai. The hill complex is located in the Keelakuilkudi village. The carvings on the walls give an account of the way of living and the rules that monks followed. There is also a beautiful lotus temple situated on the premise. Different parts of these rocky hills are called by different names and are home to a range of monuments dating between 2nd-century BCE and 12th-century CE. The south side of the extreme western end of this rocky hillocks is called the Samanar hills, and these containing a number of Samanar and Hindu monuments. The eastern parts of the same rocky hillocks include other important sites such as the Kanjamalai with the Thiruparankundram Jain cave and Hindu monuments (Umai Andar), the major rock cut Subramaniya Swamy temple (Kandan) and the 17th to 18th-century Islamic dargah for Sikandar Shah - the last Sultan of the Madurai Sultanate (1372-1377 CE).The Samanar hills contain many Jain and some Hindu monuments and inscriptions at several levels. The hill was also known as Melmalai (hills to the west), Amanarmalai (derived from Samanarmalai).[1] In some Tamil texts, a Jain site named Thiruvuruvakam is mentioned, which scholars suggest is same as Samanar Hills.According to Mahajan, it was the 8th-century Jain scholar Akalanka who founded Samanar Hills and nearby Madurai Jain basadis (settlements) after vanquishing the Buddhist scholars at Kanchipuram. This led to Jains flourishing here between the 9th and 12-century, along with the establishment of a monastery.The Samanar hills have two significant collection of Jain monuments. On the southwestern slope tip is the Settipodavu with a 10th-century Jain cave (povadu from pudai, means cave). Settipodavu is a short climb up from the base. On the southeastern slope is the Pechchipallam site at a higher level. The Pechchipallam is on the other side of the hills than Settipodavu, and they too contain Jaina reliefs and inscriptions. The Pechchipallam carvings and inscriptions are mostly from the 10th century, a few from the late 9th century and a few after the 10th century. A few Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions have also been found at the top of the Samanar hills, but their translation is a secular language, and does not imply a definite connection with Buddhism, Jainism or Hinduism.Near the base and at the top of the Samanar hills are the damaged and then restored Karuppu Sami temple and a ruined Koyil dedicated to Vishnu whose jagati (base platform) only survives.

The view from the peak of the hills is beautiful. It would take 30 minutes for the common person to reach the peak from the bottom. Steps with trails are available to some extent. Carrying water and snacks would be recommended for all. Temple is located at the bottom. lake with lotus, and large fishes maintained. Watching a variety of fish from small to large would create scenic views and a pleasant feel for the viewers. Open Parking is available.

It takes 1-2 hours to ascend, explore, reach atop, relax, and descend the hill. The hill slopes are relatively safe yet thrilling.

Beautiful temple with a small lake. Huge rock with a great view of city over it. Nice beautiful place.