WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthalabahu. The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Shvetambaras after the Council held at Pataliputra. Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century BC.

Detailed explanation-2: -The exact origins of Jainism in Tamil Nadu is unclear. However, Jains flourished in Tamil Nadu at least as early as the Sangam period. Tamil Jain tradition places their origins are much earlier. The Ramayana mentions that Rama paid homage to Jaina monks living in South India on his way to Sri Lanka.