Parshvanatha Basadi, Bhatkal, Karnataka

Parshvanatha Basadi, Bhatkal, Karnataka

Parshvanatha Basadi is a Jain Temple dedicated to Jain Thirthankara, Parshvanatha located in Bhatkal Town in Bhatkal Taluk in Uttara Kannada District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built in 1542 CE. Bhatkal was named after the ninth century Jain grammarian Bhattakalanka Deva, who hailed from Haduvalli, the capital of the Saluvas. Bhatkal was also called as Bhatta Kala / Batikula / Bhatkala / Batikala during ancient times. Bhatkal was also mentioned as Vrittapura in a 16^th century CE inscription.

The Temple

This basadi is a rectangular structure measuring 58 feet in length and 18 feet in width. A tall dwaja sthamba can be seen in front of the basadi. Dikpalas of four cardinal directions are carved on the four sides of the sthamba near its base. The basadi consists of sanctum with circumbulatory path, antrala and mandapa. The mandapa can be entered through balustrade staircase. The doorway of the mandapa and antrala are flanked by dvarapalas on either side.

The mandapa is supported by four central pillars. There is an ornate window on the norther side of the mandapa. There is low sloping roof over tha mandapa.  The sanctum enshrines a marble idol of  Parshvanatha. The idol stands over a high pedestal. The superstructure over the sanctum had been lost completely. The exterior is devoid of any decoration. Nagas, hero stones and inscriptional slabs can be seen in the premises.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Bhatkal Bus Stand and 2 Kms from Bhatkal Railway Station. Bhatkal is located at about 14 Kms from Murdeshwar, 21 Kms from Baindur, 37 Kms from Honnavar, 55 Kms from Kundapura, 88 Kms from Gokarna, 90 Kms from Udupi, 128 Kms from Karwar, 142 Kms from Mangaluru Airport and 144 Kms from Mangaluru. Bhatkal is situated on Karwar to Mangalore route (NH – 66). Bhatkal Railway Station is one of the major railway stations along the Konkan Railway line, which runs between Mumbai and Mangalore.

Location