Jain Group of Temples, Halebidu – Parshvanatha Basadi

Jain Group of Temples, Halebidu – Parshvanatha Basadi

This temple is the largest among the temples in the Jain Group of Temples. This temple is facing towards south with a mahadwara. The mahadwara looks like a mandapa. The front and the rear portion of the mahadwara are supported by two pillars and two pilasters. Images of elephants can be seen guarding the entrance of the mahadwara. A small inscriptional slab can be seen next to the left side elephant.

The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and a detached open pillared mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by 32 pillars. Images of elephants can be seen guarding the entrance of the mukha mandapa. Inscriptional slabs are kept on the left side of the entrance of the maha mandapa immediately after the mukha mandapa. The biggest inscriptional slab records the construction of this temple.

The central ceiling of the maha mandapa and the mukha mandapa is ornate with the sculpture of Yaksha Dharanendra at the centre. The central ceiling of the maha mandapa is supported by twelve pillars. These pillars are intricately carved lathe-turned and are highly polished almost resembling mirrors. The maha mandapa has niches for housing the images of 24 Thirthankaras. All the images were lost completely.

Sculptures of Yaksha Dharanendra and Yakshi Padmavati are kept against the western wall of the maha mandapa. The image of Padmavati is crowned with three hooded cobra over her head and with fruits in three hands and a weapon in the fourth hand. The sanctum enshrines an 18 feet tall image of Parshvanatha. The image is made of black stone. A seven headed serpent carved over the head of the image is considered to be guarding the deity. He is in Kayotsarga posture.