Jain Temple, Jainmedu, Palakkad. (Manikya Pattanam Sree Chandraprabha Digambara Temple)

Chandranatha Temple at Jainmedu after Renovation

The Jain temple, dedicated to Chandraprabha, the eighth 'Thirthankara', is one of the few surviving structures in Kerala featuring typical Jain architecture. According to Jainism,  a Thirthankara is a human being who achieves ‘moksha' through asceticism, and then becomes a role model and teacher for those seeking spiritual guidance. This temple is now managed by Manikya Pattanam Sree Chandraprabha Digambara Basti Trust.

Significance of the Temple:

One of its types in Kerala, also known as Chandranatha temple, the Jain temple is located on the western side of Palakkad. The Jain temple was constructed in the 15th century by a family of diamond merchants from Karnataka. This historic temple is of 32ft long and 20ft wide and is made of Granite.  It is the one of the few places in Kerala where Jainism still prevails. The location of the temple is accordingly known as Jainmedu. 

It is at a Jain house here that the legendary Malayalam poet Kumaranasan wrote his monumental poem "Veenapoovu" or The Fallen Flower.

This temple is built about 500 years ago by Inchanna Satur, for the jain sage Chandranathaswamy. This area was once occupied by more than 400 jain families whose number is very scarce now. There is four divisions in the temple, 1st of an idol of Chandranthan, 2nd of Vijayalakshmi Nathan 3rd of Rish abha and 4th of Padmavathi.The 32-feet high structure comprises four ‘aras' (divisions) with walls devoid of glittering ornamentations and decorations.

The temple was renovated in 2013 and a Panch Kalyana prathishta was performed.A large number of devotees from Kerala and neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu turned up to worship at the shrine as its portals were opened ,followed by elaborate installation rituals connected with the ceremony, known as `Chandraprabha Panchakalyana Prathishta Mahotsavam."

  Legend:

Palakkad is famous for its Jain caves and monuments spread over many parts of the district. Jainism was spread across Kerala once; ample evidences prove that Palakkad, along with Wayanad, was one of their major settlements.According to many historians, the Jain monks entered Kerala through three routes — namely Mangalore, Wayanad and Konghunadu enclosing Salem and Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu.

Legend says that the Jainimedu temple was constructed in a 12-acre plot by a family of diamond traders who came from Kanahalli in Karnataka 500 years ago.After one of its male members died during a routine business visit to the area, his brother, Inchana Satur built the temple in memory of him as per a sage's advice.In course of time, their family settled around the shrine. Following them, hundreds of Jains, most of them diamond merchants from across the country, came and settled here.  Thus Jainimedu was known as ‘Manikyapattanam' (Diamond town) and ‘Muthupattanam' (Pearl town). The eastern part of Palakkad town — Chandranagar — was also said to be a Jain settlement.An elaborate chariot festival used to be held here in its golden days. 

The legacy of this temple, which had 24 wells, began to wane with the arrival of Tipu Sultan in Palakkad. The temple wall was demolished and the bricks were used for constructing a fort. The Jain community later fled to Wayanad district.

This temple is set in a very calm and tranquil place and offers a peaceful atmosphere for meditation  or  spiritual retreat.