Jainism in Karnataka

Karnataka, a state in the Southern India has a long association with Jainism, a religion which has enjoyed patronage of major Kingdoms of Karnataka, such as Western Ganga Dynasty, Kadamba Dynasty, Chalukya Dynasty and Hoysala Empire. The state is also home to a number of Jain monuments, such as Basadis, Gommata Statues and Stambhas.

History

Historical association of Jainism with Karnataka dates back to Sixth century BC. Legend has it that Mahavira visited Karnataka and initiated King Jivandhara of Hemanagada country of the Kuntala (Karnataka) region and this probably accounts for the early beginnings of Jainism in Karnataka. The migration of Jain religion started in 300 BC, when the religion looked to expand towards more hospitable locations. Bhadrabahu, of the line of pontiffs started by Mahavira accomponied by his disciple Chandragupta Maurya and followers halted at Chandragiri Hill or Rishigiri. Realising that he was nearing the end of his life, he instructed his disciples to spread the religion and he undertook Sallekhana at Chandragiri. Nearly 700 more munis performed Sallekhana, which gave a thrust to the spread of the religion in Karnataka. [ cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb142006/spectrum1312382006213.asp |title=A place soaked in religion|accessdate=2006-11-23 |format= |work= ]

Chandragupta Maurya continued to live on the hill who continued to live on this hill worshipping the foot prints of his teacher and later he too followed his teacher by adopting Sallekhana. There are two monuments on the hill recalling this event, a rock cut cave called Bhadrabahu cave and a structural shrine called the Chandragupta Basadi. [ cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr92005/arts11423200548.asp |title=Karnataka’s hotbed of Jain religion|accessdate=2006-11-25 |format= |work= ]

Monuments

There are a number of monuments relating to the Jain religion in Karnataka. The Jain monuments include, Shrines, Bastis (Basadis), Gommata statues and Sthambas (pillars).

The most prominent among them are as follows:

Basadis

* Chandragupta Basadi and Chaturmukha Basadi in Chandragiri,Shravanabelagola.
* Odegal Basadi in Indragiri.
* Saavira Kambada Basadi in Moodabidiri. There are 18 other Basadis in and around Moodabidiri.
* Chaturmukha Basadi of Karkala and Gerusoppa.
* Chandranatha Basadi in Hadavalli.
* Adinatha Basadi in Belagavi.

Gommata statues

There are a number of large and small Gommata statues found in Karnataka. Prominent among them are the Statues at Shravanabelagola, Karkala, Venuru and Dharmasthala.

References