Jambai village

Jambai
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Location	Villuppuram, India
Coordinates	12°00′52″N 79°03′16″E / 12.014472°N 79.054527°E / 12.014472; 79.054527
Type	Cultural
State Party	India

Jambai (Tamil: ஜம்பை) is a 1 km² village in Tirukkoyilur (Tamil: திருக்கோயிலூர்) taluk in Villuppuram (Tamil: விழுப்புரம் ) district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The major occupation of the people living at this place is agriculture and handloom. In 2011, it had a population of 2,000 people.

Jambai got its name from Jambunatheshwarar temple, a Chola period (Shiva) temple. According to the inscriptions present inside the temple, this village was called as Valayur during the Parantaka Chola I period. Hence, "Jambai" might be a later name to this village.

Jambai is located on the northern bank of the river, Thenpennai. It is 19 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Tirukkoyilur and 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Thiruvannaamalai.

Jambai village has more-than-1000-year-old heritage. At Jambai, Saivism, Jainism, Buddhism and Saktism prevailed. In 2006, a beautifully carved 10th century A.D. Buddha sculpture was stolen from the middle of the Fort area paddy field. There are two Siva temples, One Saptamatrika shrine, one Ayynar temple on the hill and other Ayyanar temple in north east corner of the village. Jain Tirthankara relief carving is seen in the hill on the way to Pallichandal. The importance of the village comes from the presence of the Shiva temple called Jambunatheshwarar temple and Jambaimalai containing 1st century B.C.E. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain abode, caves and beds.