Shanka Basadi, Lakshmeshwar, Karnataka

Shanka Basadi, Lakshmeshwar, Karnataka

Shanka Basadi is a Jain Temple dedicated to Jain Thirthankara Neminatha located in Lakshmeshwar Town in Lakshmeshwar Taluk in Gadag District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This Shanka Basadi is also called as Shanka Jinalaya / Sahasrakuta Jinalaya. This Basadi is situated in the Basti Bana area of Lakshmeshwar. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/shanka-basadi-lakshmeshwar-history.html

The Temple

This basadi is facing towards east. There is a manasthamba (pillar) erected in front of the temple. The basadi consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and ranga mandapa. The ranga mandapa has entrances on northern, southern, and eastern sides. The front façade of the ranga mandapa is plain and whitewashed. The ranga mandapa is surrounded by a low parapet wall.

The hall instead of being open is closed with pierced window panels. The space between the parapet wall and window panels is carved with different images of amorous couples, musicians, and dancers. The frieze containing the amorous couples is flanked by creeper motif on the top and the flower motif at the bottom. The sanctum enshrines an image of Neminatha / Shankha Jinendra (Shankha is the symbol of Neminath), the 22^nd Jain Tirthankara.

He is depicted in kayotsarga posture standing on a large shankha (conch shell). The shikhara of the temple is a modern structure. The unique feature of this temple is a monolithic pillar with the carving of 1008 Tirthankaras known as Sahasrakuta Jinabimba. Idols of Dharnendra and Padmavati can be seen in the temple premises. Several mutilated Jain idols can be seen on the wall of well nearby.

Connectivity

The basadi is located at about 1.5 Kms from Lakshmeshwar Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Yalavigi Railway Station, 37 Kms from Bankapura, 40 Kms from Gadag, 45 Kms from Dambal, 46 Kms from Haveri, 54 Kms from Hubli and 57 Kms from Hubli Airport. The basadi is situated on Gadag to Bankapura route. There are private buses as well as KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses plying between Haveri, Gadag and Hubli.

Location

Anantanatha Basadi, Lakshmeshwar, Karnataka

Anantanatha Basadi, Lakshmeshwar, Karnataka

Anantanatha Basadi is a Jain Temple dedicated to Jain Thirthankara Anantanatha located in Lakshmeshwar Town in Lakshmeshwar Taluk in Gadag District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple is believed to be built in 12^th century CE by the Western Chalukyas. Lakshmeshwar was called as Tirulugannada Nadu / Purigere / Porigere / Purikanagar / Pulikanagar / Huligere / Hurigere / Puligere (means pond of tigers) during ancient times. It was the capital of Puligere-300 division. The city was under the control of Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Western Gangas, Western Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Cholas, Seunas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Kingdom. Adikavi Pampa composed Adi Purana and Vikramarjuna Vijaya (Pampa Bharata) in Lakshmeshwar. Lakshmeshwar was one of the famous Jain centres in ancient Karnataka region.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards north with an entrance arch. A granite manastambha can be seen immediately after the entrance arch. The temple stands over a low raised platform and is built using soap stone. The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines, one each on south, east, and west. The central shrine (southern shrine) is the most prominent one.

The sanctum of the central shrine enshrines an image of Anantanatha, one of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras. He is in standing posture. The superstructure over the southern shrine follows phamsana style of architecture. There are no super structures over the eastern and the western shrines. The eastern and the western shrines houses an image of Parshvanatha and Jina. All the three shrines connects to the navaranga via vestibule.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 250 metres from Lakshmeshwar Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Yalavigi Railway Station, 37 Kms from Bankapura, 40 Kms from Gadag, 45 Kms from Dambal, 46 Kms from Haveri, 54 Kms from Hubli and 57 Kms from Hubli Airport. The temple is situated on Gadag to Bankapura route. There are private buses as well as KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses plying between Haveri, Gadag and Hubli.

Location

Eklingji Temple, Kailashpuri, Rajasthan

Eklingji Temple, Kailashpuri, Rajasthan

Eklingji Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kailashpuri Village in Girwa Tehsil in Udaipur District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Eklingji is believed to be the ruling deity of Mewar Kingdom. Eklingji was considered as the ruler of Mewar Kingdom and the Maharanas of Mewar Kingdom have ruled as a representative of Lord Eklingji. The temple is situated on the banks of Indra Sagar Lake. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/eklingji-temple-udaipur-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/eklingji-temple-udaipur-history.html

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/eklingji-temple-udaipur-temple-complex.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 04.15 am to 06.45 am in the morning, 10.30 am to 01.30 pm in the noon and from 05.15 pm to 07.45 pm in the evening.

Festivals

Makar Sankranti (Jan-Feb), Maha Shivaratri (Feb-Mar), Mewad Mahotsav (Mar-Apr) and Shilpgram Fair (Nov-Dec) are the festivals celebrated here. Navratras of both Chaitra and Ashwin month of Hindu calendar are also celebrated here. Monthly Pradoshas are also observed here. Mondays are considered special here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Nagda Sahasra Bahu Temples, 21 Kms from Udaipur, 23 Kms from Udaipur Bus Stand, 25 Kms from Udaipur Railway Station, 27 Kms from Nathdwara and 34 Kms from Udaipur Airport. The temple is situated on Udaipur to Nathdwara route.

Location

Meena Basati, Aihole, Karnataka

Meena Basati, Aihole, Karnataka

Meena Basati is a Jain cave temple dedicated to Mahavira, 24^th Tirthankara of Jainism, located on the banks of the Malaprabha river in the heart of Aihole, an historical town, in Bagalkot District in Karnataka, India. This cave temple is situated on the southern façade of the Meguti Hill. This temple is considered as one of the earlier monuments of Aihole.

History

This cave temple could have been excavated towards the end of the 6^th century CE or early 7^th century CE. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Cave Temple

The cave temple is facing towards south east and situated on the Meguti Hill. It consists of a narrow porch, a central hall opening into the main shrine and two side chambers. The porch is supported by four pillars and two pilasters. All the pillars are plain and square in section. The ceiling of the porch is decorated with delicate relief patterns of lotus petals, separated by panels with huge makaras (crocodiles) disgorging tiny human figures.

Sculptures of Gomateshwara flanked by his sisters Brahmi & Sundari and five hooded Parsvanatha along with Dharanendra, , Padmavati and Kamatha can be seen on the extreme right and extreme left of the porch respectively. The pillars of the side chambers and sanctum are similar in style. The ceiling of the hall is carved with a huge lotus inside a square at its centre. The four corners of the hall has carvings of lotus on the ceiling. There is another lotus carved at the centre of the floor in the hall.

The sanctum is guarded by dvarapalas on either side. The sanctum has a carving of Mahavira seated in padmasana in dyana mudra on a lion throne on the back wall. He rests under a triple umbrella canopy flanked by two whisk bearers on either side of him. The chamber on the left side has carving of Mahavira flanked by female worshippers. An elephant procession is also carved in this chamber. The chamber on the right side was never finished. There is a path to the left of this temple leads to the dolmens at the top of the Meguti hill.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms 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

Yogi Narayana Group of Temples, Aihole, Karnataka

Yogi Narayana Group of Temples, Aihole, Karnataka

Yogi Narayana Group of Temples are group of four Jain Temples, located on the banks of the Malaprabha river in the heart of Aihole, an historical town, in Bagalkot District in Karnataka, India. This Group of Temples is situated close to Gauri Temple. The Temples were built in 11^th century CE by Late Chalukyas. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple Complex

The temple complex consists of four temples, dedicated to the Mahavira and the Parshvanatha. Two of these temples faces the north, one faces west and other faces east. The main temple follows trikutachala style architecture. The temple consists of Mukha Mandapa, Sabha Mandapa, Antrala and Sanctum. The Sabha Mandapa is square in plan and centrally supported by four pillars. The Sanctum houses a beautiful image of Parshvanatha.

Though Gajalakshmi presides over the door lintel of the sanctum, tirthankaras are also carved elsewhere. The pillars of the temples have intricate carvings. The shikaras are of stepped pyramidal variety. This temple complex has a polished basalt image of Parshvanatha, with a five-headed snake hood. He sits on a platform with lions carved in its niches. Another image from this Jain temples cluster is now at the ASI museum in Aihole.

Connectivity

The temple complex is located at about 500 meters 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

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

Jettappa Nayakana Chandranathesvara Basadi, Bhatkal, Karnataka

Jettappa Nayakana Chandranathesvara Basadi, Bhatkal, Karnataka

Jettappa Nayakana Chandranathesvara Basadi is a Jain Temple dedicated to Jain Thirthankaras located in Bhatkal Town in Bhatkal Taluk in Uttara Kannada District in the Indian state of Karnataka. This basadi is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This basadi was built in 1556 CE by Narayana Nayaka, son of a commander of Chenna Bhairadevi (Pepper queen) of Gerusoppa as per the inscription in the basadi. This basadi was mentioned as Vardhamana Basadi in the inscriptions. 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 Basadi

This basadi is facing towards east. The basadi consists of two blocks of buildings joined together by an intervening porch. Both these buildings are of two storeys. The lower storey is larger than the upper storey. Each storey of these buildings consists of three cells enshrining images of Jain Thirthankaras. The temple consists of agrasala, bhogamandapa and basadi. A dwaja sthamba stands on a platform of about 14 sq.ft can be seen in front of the main entrance.

The sthamba is about 21 feet tall and surmounted by a quadrangular capital. There is a small pillar called Yaksha Brahma Khamba behind the basadi. This pillar is about 19 feet tall.  It stands on a platform with four pillars at the corners, with lintel laid over them. The temple is noted for its sloping roof and the arrangement of stone screens. There are two stone tablets with inscriptions on either side of the porch. The present entrance to the basadi is from its behind and the main entrance is at the rear of the complex.

Connectivity

The basadi 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

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