The Dharmanath Jain Temple at Mattancherry is an important site for the Jain community, who long ago immigrated from Gujarat's Kutch and Saurashtra. This Jain Thirthankara memorial temple, which is open to all communities and is situated on the Gujarati Road, is thought to be 100 years old. The interior of the temple, which is entirely made of marble, is elegantly decorated with artwork, sculptured pillars, and idols of Jain Gods called Thirthankaras.
Jainism came to Kerala in the 3rd century after Chandragupta Maurya traveled to Shravanbelagola in Karnataka. Later their followers traveled to Tamil Nadu and Kerala in search of places of solitude. The town of Mattancherry houses the various migrating people from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Goa etc. The migrated people are settled as business men here. Coming to the Dharmantah Jain Temple it is a 100 years old temple built by migrated Jain Community people. The temple architecture and cleanliness are spotless. While entering into the temple the devotees find the gates on which the Grihalakshmi sitting on the gates.
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One of the most famous Jain pilgrimage sites in India is the Dharmanath temple in Kerala. This temple, which is located in the town of Mattancherry in Kochi in the southern Indian sub continental state of Kerala, draws devoted Jains from all over the world every day. The origins of Jainism in Kerala date back to the third century.
Dharmanath Temple in Kerala, one of the most well-known Jain pilgrimage sites, draws followers from all over the world. The century-old temple provides complete tranquilly and is an ideal location for meditation. The temple takes its name from Dharmanath, the 15th Tirthankara. In order to earn the moniker of "theerth," four Jain Lord idols were also positioned in the sanctum sanctorum during the remodeling.
It is a must-visit location due to the magnificent architecture and immaculate hygiene within and outside the property. The Jain Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu and the Dharamnath Temple's architecture and sculptures are very similar. The beautifully carved pillars and walls each have a different story to tell.
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Many business people of the Jain faith live in the Kochi city of Mattancherry after moving there from their native Rajasthan and Gujarat. The architecture and cleanliness of the entire temple complex and the area around it are perfect. The temple's sculptures and architectural layout resemble those of the Jain Dilwara temple on Mount Abu. The interior of the temple is decorated with sculptures made of marble that represent the many Jain Gods and Thirthankaras. Other Jain pilgrimage locations have also been beautifully engraved into this temple's pillars and walls.
The temple is now a ‘theerth’ as it is more than 100 years old by now. The temple was renovated as part of the celebrations of attaining the much admired ‘theerth’ status. There were four more deities installed in the temple during these celebrations.
The temple is situated in the quintessential Kerala setting of coconut trees and lush verdant greenery. The serenity and tranquility of the place makes it ideal for those who are meditating to attain inner peace or salvation. Right from the imposing temple gates, which have a picture of the beautiful Gajalakshmi on them, to the inner sanctorum where the idol of the Lord Dharmanath is installed, every inch of the temple is designed to create the feeling of peace and devotion in the pilgrim.
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