The temple was constructed in Vikram Samvat 1960 (1904 A.D) and the main idol installed is Bhagwan Shri Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirthankar. History says that for centuries Jains from Kutch & Saurashtra (Gujarat) used to come to Cochin, Kozhikode and Alleppey mainly for business activities. They settled and brought their family members about 150 to 200 years back. Smt.Hirubhai Jivraj Dhanji constructed Shri Dharmanath Jinalay in memory of her husband Sri Jivraj Dhanji and gifted it to The Jain Sangh without any precondition in 1904 A.D. At present, Sri Cochin Swetamber Murtipujak Jain Sangh runs the administration through its elected Board of Trustees. Today, about more 350 families of Jain origin settled in Cochin and engaged in various business and service activities. Jains are all pure vegetarian and Ahimsa is their parmodharma (main duty). They follow the path of "Live and Let Live" (Jiyo aur Jinedo). Another main characteristic of Jainism is "Kshama". Knowingly or unknowingly if anyone hurts anyone else in whatever way, they ask for Kshama and give Kshama. "Kshma Virasya Bhushanam" is greatly emphasised in the teachings of Jainism. Cochin Jain community has a unique virtue of achieving unity among different sections and sub-sections of Jainism and celebrating almost all the major events like Paryushanparva (eight-day religious festival) jointly. All types of people visit the Jain temple and appreciate their culture and traditions. Jains happily and wholeheartedly participate in the cultural activities of Kerala and cherish the same. Now after 100 years of Jain temple, Cochin will be known as Jain Tirth and will have more visitors too. Jainism believes in equality of man and does not recognise caste, creed and untouchability. It is open to all. The measure of a man is not his high or low birth, but his acquisition of good and noble virtues. Jainism is universal and this is amply manifested by the Navkar Maha Mantra which is supposed to be the greatest of all mantras, and which is a tool for generating within the hearts of the aspirants, the three divine qualities of Ahimsa (Non-violence), Tapa (Penance) and Sayyam (self-control). The distinguishing feature of this mantra is that it is not addressed to any particular individual or God. It offers salutation and adoration to all those sanctified and enlightened souls, whether Jain or Non-Jains. Many people believe that Lord Mahavir was the founder of Jainism. This is not correct. Lord Mahavir renowned as the apostle of Ahimsa and harbinger of peace was the 24th Tirthankar. The first Tirthankar was Lord Rushabhdev. Jainism was founded thousands of years earlier than Lord Mahavir. Jainism puts the greatest emphasis on Ahimsa. According to Jainism, there are 84 Lakhs of different types of lives in the world. It precludes violence in thought and intention as well as in fact towards all living beings. It applies to nations as well as individuals and also flora and fauna. Ahimsa Paramo Dharma is the greatest law.