Shree Gujarati Swetamber Jain Mandir in
Chennai is the first Jain Temple in South India. The presiding deity of the temple is the 23rd Jain
Teerthankar, Lord Parshwanatha.
The three gopurams and five doors of the Mandir have marble carvings based on the architectural principles of the famous
Dilwara temples. Only marble has been used in the construction, and the architects, carvers and workers were brought in from Rajasthan. The idol is made of Quartz selected from the Chellur mines near Tumkur, Karnataka. The stone was considered special due to its green color, which, according to Jain scriptures, is the colour of God. Jain acharyas walk all the way to the Gujarati shwetambar Mandir from North India and stay here for 'Chatur Masa'.
