Jain Temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka
Jain Temple is a historical temple located in Lakkundi
Village near Gadag Town in Gadag District of Karnataka. The Temple is also
called as Brahma Jinalaya. Lakkundi is also known as Lokkigundi in medieval
times, the town was of considerable importance during the 11-12th century
A.D. Western Chalukya rule. With the
waning of their power, in 1191 A.D., the noted Hoysala
Emperor Veera Ballala II made this town an
important garrison. The temple is protected as a monument of national
importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Temple is located at
about 1 Km from Lakkundi Bus Stop.
The Temple
This east facing temple is the oldest Jain temple at
Lakkundi. The temple consists of a garbhagriha, antarala, navaranga, an open
mandapa and mukha-mandapa. The architectural style of the temple can be
classified as Later Chalukya style.
The temple has single shrine (ekakuta vimana) connected to a closed mantapa
hall via a vestibule (sukanasi or ardhamantapa)
that is connected to another, open mantapa. These features are found commonly
in all Western Chalukya temples. The
open mandapa is supported on twenty-eight pillars.
As observed in other Western Chalukya period temples,
slanted-backrest seating like arrangement cannot be found in this open mandapa.
Navaranga has four pillars in center to support the ceiling above the central
stage. The building material is soapstone,
typical in later Hoysala architecture. The most conspicuous
feature of the Western Chalukya temples is the decrease in the size of masonry
and the resulting decrease in the overall height of the temples compared to
those built by the Badami Chalukyas at Pattadakal.
This was a result of a shift in the basic building material, from sandstone to
the more workable soapstone.
The garbhagriha doorway has an image of Mahavira on its
Lalatabimba. The garbhagriha is a square sanctuary and it houses a Mahavira
image standing above a Simha-pedestal. On his left is shown yakshi Padmavati
and on his left is a Yaksha. Inside the navaranga, on either side of the
antarala doorway, are placed two exquisite sculptures, one of Padmavati and one
of Brahma. Brahma is shown standing in samabhanga posture. He is shown with his
four heads and four hands. Because of this image, the temple is probably known
as Brahma-Jinalaya.
The tower over the shrine as Dravidian (south Indian)
but it is more Vesara because
each tier are encrusted with motifs that make the tower more
"curvilinear". The shikhara of this temple is very noteworthy. It is
constructed in three stories topped with a crowning member. The first story is
taller than the above two stories. It rises above the garbhagriha and provides
a cavity for another smaller garbhagriha.
It is topped with two stories of same design. The
crowning member is square in shape and has a pot-finial above it. The overall
structure with its well-proportioned tiers and finial (amalaka, kalasha)
give the superstructure a "majestic" look. Above the cornice are
circular niches, each of which holds the image of a Jain saint (Jaina) in
relief, with a kirtimukha decoration above. The walls of
the shrine have pilasters, with the spaces between them
containing, in relief, pavilions, and miniature decorative towers (aedicula)
on slender half pilasters.
Some miniature towers have niches below them. Overall,
the decorative ornamentation is taken to a new level compared to earlier
temples. There is another small temple on the north of the main temple. The
mandapa of the temple has not survived. An image of Mahavira, which head is
broken, is placed over the platform of the mandapa. The shikhara of the temple
is also lost.
Sculptures
There are three notable freestanding sculptures in the
temple. An image of Mahavira that is a little over 4 feet
tall, made of black polished stone and seated on a "lion throne"
(simhaasana) is found outside the temple. This Idol might be the original idol
housed in the sanctum. Mahavira has an attendant on either side,
holding a chowri (a type of brush) in one hand a fruit in another.
An exceptionally well rendered image of the god Brahma
stands in the inner hall, and that of the goddess Saraswathi stands at the
entrance to the vestibule. In each of her four hands she holds an attribute;
a ankusa (elephant goad), a petaled flower, a book and a citron.
In addition to these sculptures, the relief of a Jaina is carved on to the door
lintel of the sanctum and outer hall, and an image of Gajalakshmi (Lakshmi with
elephants on either side) exists over entrance to the vestibule.
Inscriptions
As per an inscription, it was constructed by Attiyabbe,
the wife of chief Nagadeva, in about 1007 CE. Her son is said to be governing
the Masavadi country. The temple was under the priesthood of Archanandi-pandita
who belonged to Surastha gana of Mula Sangh of Digambar order.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
Location
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