Charanthi Matha, Aihole, Karnataka

Charanthi Matha, Aihole, Karnataka

Charanthi Matha is a group of Jain temples dedicated to Jain Thirthankaras, located on the banks of the Malaprabha river in the heart of Aihole, an historical town, in Bagalkot District in Karnataka, India. The group of temples were believed to be constructed in 1120 CE by the later Chalukyas as per the inscription available in this temple. The temples are protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Group of Temples

The Charanthi Matha group of temples consists of three Jain temples.

Main Temple:

The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines, one each on south, east and west. The main shrine is facing towards north. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, sabha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by two pillars and two pilasters. The sabha mandapa entrance has the image of Mahavira with two female attendants on the dedicatory block. The sabha mandapa is supported by four central pillars on a low raised platform and twelve pilasters on the side walls.

There is a stone staircase leads to the roof above can be seen in the sabha mandapa.  The antrala entrance has the image of Mahavira seated on a lion throne accompanied by two chauri bearer attendants on the dedicatory block. The sanctum entrance has the image of Mahavira with two female attendants on the dedicatory block. There is a triple umbrella over his head. He is shown seated in padmasana posture in dyana mudra.

The shikara over the shrine is of stepped shrinking concentric squares pyramidal style. The subsidiary shrines consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by four pillars. The antrala and sanctum entrance has the image of Mahavira with two female attendants on the dedicatory block. The shikara over the sanctum is of stepped pyramidal style. The exterior walls of the shrine are decorated with miniature temples separated by pilasters.

Temple No 2:

Temple No 2 actually consists of two temples facing towards south. The temples consists of individual sanctum and sabha mandapa with a common mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is supported by five pillars and two pilasters. The sabha mandapa is supported by four central pillars.  The temples has the image of Mahavira carved on the dedicatory block. The door jambs are intricately carved with floral motifs and miniature human & animal figures. Sculptures of Yalis can be seen on the pilasters. There is no idol in the sanctum. The temple near to this shrine is similar in plan. 

Connectivity

The temple complex is located at about 500 metres from Aihole Bus Stand. Aihole is located at about 13 Kms from Pattadakal, 30 Kms from Badami Railway Station, 33 Kms from Bagalkot Junction Railway Station, 34 Kms from Badami, 38 Kms from Bagalkot, 88 Kms from Gadag, 136 Kms from Hubballi Airport, 164 Kms from Belgaum Airport, 277 Kms from Goa and 446 Kms from Bengaluru. Aihole is situated on Pattadakal to Amingad route.

Location