jain centers in Karnataka

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• Top 10 Must Visit Jain Monuments In Karnataka

  JULY 10, 2018 BY MADUR

  There are many Jain monuments in Karnataka. Jainism may not have originated in Karnataka but it has a long association with the state that dates back to the 3rd century BC.  When Chandragupta Maurya renounced his kingdom to become a monk, he traveled to the Chandragiri Hill region in Karnataka.

  The Jain temples, stambhas and Gommata statues are important not only for their religious significance but also for their architecture and design. Come, let’s explore the Jain monuments in Karnataka.

• It was here that he spent the rest of his life. A number of rulers of south India also were patrons of the religion. This included rulers from the Chalukya, Kadamba and Hoysala Kingdom. It is because of their patronage that Karnataka today is home to a number of Jain monuments.

• 1. Savira kambagala basadi

Also known as the Chandranatha Temple, this temple is noted for its design which includes 1000 pillars. It is dedicated to the 8^th Tirthankara, Chandraprabha. The construction of this temple began in 1430 by the local Chieftain Devaraya Wodeyar. Construction lasted 31 years with additions made as late as 1962.

The temple has three floors with devotees allowed into the upper floors only once a year. 1000 pillars carved in Granite support the ceiling of the prayer hall. Each pillar is unique in terms of the figures carved on it.

The centerpiece of the temple is a 60-foot tall monolith. 18 other Jain temples including the Vikram Shetty Basadi, Moodabidri Jain Math, Derma Shetty Basadi and Bhaṭṭāraka Charukeerthi are in the same area.

2. Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola

One of the major Jain monuments in Karnataka, this is one of the two main hills in Shravanabelagola. The history of this hill dates back to 300BC when Chandragupta Maurya first visited the hill with his teacher, Bhadrabahu. The hill is in fact named after him. Of the 106 Jain monuments in Shravanabelagola, 92 are located on Chandragiri Hill. This includes the Shantinatha Basadi, Parshvanatha Basadi, and the Chandragupta Basadi.

The rich, bold exterior of the Shantinatha Basadi sets it apart from other Jain temples. Though the temple was built under the patronage of the Hoysala rulers, it lacks the molding frieze that characterizes their temples. Chandragupta basadi is one of the smaller basadis. Perforated stone screens are intricately carved with scenes from the lives of the Bhadrabahu, Srutakevali and Chandragupta Maurya. This is one of the must-visit monuments in Karnataka.

3. Chaturmukha Basadi, Karkala

This is one of the most well-known monuments in Karkala. It was built in the late 16^th century under the patronage of one of the rulers of the Santara dynasty, Immadi Bhairarasa Vodeya. The temple was designed with 4 symmetric faces and is known at the Chaturmukha Basadi for this reason.

The Basadi, one of the finest Jain monuments in Karnataka, is constructed purely of granite rocks. It features 108 pillars that support the ceiling which is also carved out of granite. A number of images of Jain Tirthankaras are housed in this temple. The temple faces the renowned Karkala Bahubali statue.

4. Gommateshwara Statue, Shravanbelagola

The Gommateshwara Statue at Shravanbelagola stands 57 feet tall on the Vindyagiri Hill. This monolithic statue is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world.  The statue is also counted amongst the seven wonders of India.

It was commissioned by Chavundaraya, a minister, and commander of the Ganga dynasty in 983 AD. The statue portrays Bahubali in a meditative stance with an anthill in the background. For the thigh upwards, the figure has nothing to support it.

A creeper and a snake emerge from this anthill and are entwined around his arms and legs. Once in 12 years, the statue is anointed with purified water, sandalwood paste, milk, saffron paste and sugarcane juice. This is known as the Mahamastakabhisheka.

5. Kundadri Temple, Shimoga

At the top of the Kundadri hill is a Jain temple dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha. The temple, one of the famous Jain monuments in Karnataka, is constructed entirely of stone. It is believed that over 2000 years ago, a Jain sage by the name of Kundakunda Acharya stayed here. There are two small, natural rock ponds on one side of the temple. Not many people visit the temple as it is off the main road.

6. Navagraha Jain Temple, Hubli

This is one of the most important Jain monuments in Karnataka. It’s most notable feature is a 61-foot tall monolithic statue of the 23^rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha. This status is mounted on a 48-foot tall platform. The temple also has smaller statues of 8 other Tirthankaras. The statues of the temple can be seen from afar. It is believed that worshiping these 8 Tirthankaras can help a devotee pacify the graha dhoshas of nine planets.

7. Jain Basadi Complex, Halebidu

The Basadi complex in Halebidu consists of three Jain temples dedicated to Tirthankaras Shantinatha, Adinatha and Parshvanatha. Of these, the Adinatha Basadi is the smallest. These temples were constructed under the patronage of the Hoysala rulers in the 12th century.

The Shantinatha Basadi contains an 18-foot tall statue of Shantinatha in the sanctum. The Parshvanatha Basadi is known for its architecture, navaranga halls and intricate carvings on the pillars. This is the largest of the three temples and has niches for idols of each of the 24 Tirthankaras.

8. Cave Temples, Badami

The Badami Cave Temples are a complex of four Jain, Hindu and Buddhist cave temples. These temples are famous for their religious significance and as fine examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. The Jain temple is probably the smallest of the four temples.

It was constructed after the other three temples and is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. The cave features intricate carvings and five-bayed entrance. 4 stone pillars with brackets hold up this entrance. Along with symbolic carvings of the Tirthankaras, the cave also has carvings of Mahavira, Bahubali and Parshvanatha. The artistic details in this cave are comparable to those of the Ellora caves.

9. Sri Humcha Padmavati Temple, Shimoga 

This temple is located in a small village called Humcha in the Hosanagara taluk of the Shimoga district. This is one of the main temples dedicated to Ma Padmavati. Padmavati is revered as the protective Goddess of the twenty-third Jain Tirthankara.

The temple was built in 8 AD under the patronage of Jinadatta Raya of the Santhara Dynasty. It has been designed in the Chalukyan style of architecture and has an open Mukhamantapa. It is believed that when the Goddess hears a devotee’s prayers, flowers fall from her right side. The Humbaj Matha is located close by. Apart from the temple, the area is famous for a lake that never dries up and a tree that is always green.

10. Jain Narayana Temple, Pattadakal 

Pattadakal is one of the 36 UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. There are 9 Hindu Temples and a single Jain temple here. The Jain temple is located a little away from the cluster of Hindu temples. This temple is also known as the Jain Narayana temple. It was built in the 9^th century under the patronage of the Rashtrakuta King, Krishna II.

The temple is built along the lines of the Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram. The statue of a Jina is carved in the north eave of the temple. Like the other temples in Pattadakal, it has a square sanctum, mandapa, antechamber and porch.