The rocky hillocks around Madurai have many ancient to pre-14th century Jain and Hindu caves and temples, as well as some post-14th century Islamic monuments (1334–1378 Madurai Sultanate). These are found to the west, northwest, north, east and south of Madurai city.

To the west of Madurai city, about 10 kilometers away, are the Samanar Hills (locally called Samanar Malai, or Amanarmalai, or Melmalai). The word Samanar is rooted in Sramana traditions of ancient India. In contemporary Tamil Nadu, these are generally equated with Jains. (see T.L. Sripal (1954), Samanar Malai, University of Madras Press for detailed discussions and more information.)

The Samanar Hills stretch for several kilometers, with different spots being home to ancient Tamil-Brahmi script inscriptions and several bed, wall reliefs, temples and caves monuments of Jainism, and some of Hinduism.

The Jain monuments at Samanar Hills consist of beds, caves with reliefs such as above, and reliefs on the walls as sravaka-pilgrims (householders supporting the ascetics) or early ascetics would walk up to them. Many inscriptions are also found with these artwork on Samanar Hills, which are all in Tamil except one which is in Kannada. The script varies, and careful studies suggest that the few Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions here are from 1st to 3rd century CE, while Vatteluttu inscriptions were entered on these hills from 8th to 11th-century CE.

Above: entrance walkway to the Samanar Malai monuments