“Did you know this idol was once used as a washing stone?” I ask you. Welcome to the Sri Adhinath jain Temple in Chennai. This temple stands as a testament to the enduring Jain faith in Tamil Nadu.
The Sri Adhinath jain Temple is located in the Vanuvampet area of Adambakkam. It is about 600 meters from Vanuvambedu Bus Stop. You can find it at 16 Indira Gandhi Street.
This temple caters to the needs of Tamil Jains in Chennai’s southern suburbs. The story of its main idol is quite remarkable. The ancient stone image of Adhi Bhagwan was discovered in this very area. Believe it or not it was initially used as a stone for washing clothes near Kovilambakkam.
A Tamil Jain girl recognized the stone. She realized it was a Teerthankara. For a while, the idol was kept in a North Indian Jain house for worship.
Dedicated people from Adambakkam took the initiative to build this temple. They brought the idol to its current prominent place. Today it stands proudly in the Sri Adhinath jain Temple.
The Sri Adhinath jain Temple features multiple levels. The main shrine is on the first floor. The ground floor has a smaller shrine dedicated to Adhi Bhagwan with a marble image. A sub-shrine honors Dharma Devi Yakshi. Plans are underway to dedicate the top floor to the 24 Tirthankaras.
You will notice a Manasthamba here. The temple also houses several metal images of Tirthankaras. Images of Pancha Parameshti are also present.
The Sri Adhinath jain Temple opens at 6:00 AM daily. Within these walls, you will find not just a place of worship. But a symbol of faith, resilience, and community. It all started from humble beginnings. The Sri Adhinath jain Temple is a reminder that divinity can be found in unexpected places.