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{{Short description|Religion of Jainism in the Indian state of Karnataka}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
[[File:Idol of Bhagwan Neminath 20250816 072740505.MP.jpg|thumb|Idol of Bhagwan Neminath at Ancient Jain Basadi, Gerusoppa, Karnataka]]
{{Jainism}}
'''[[Karnataka]]''', a state in [[South India]] has a long association with [[Jainism]], a religion which enjoyed patronage of major historic kingdoms in the state such as the [[Rastrakuta Dynasty]], [[Western Ganga Dynasty|Western Ganga]], [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]] and [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukya]] dynasties and the [[Hoysala Empire]]. Today the state is home to a number of Jain monuments, such as [[Jain temple|temple]]s, [[Gommata statue]]s and [[stambha]]s.

==History==
Historical association of Jainism with [[Karnataka]] dates back to the 3rd century BC.{{sfn|Sangave|2001a|p=115}}<ref name=jain>{{cite book |last=Singh|first=R.B.P.|title=Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka |year=2008 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|isbn= 9788120833234|language=en}}</ref> [[Acharya Bhadrabahu]] predicted a twelve-year-long famine in north India and led the migration of Jain sangha to the south.{{sfn|Sangave|2001a|p=115}} He was accompanied by his disciple [[Chandragupta Maurya]] and the ''Sangha'' halted at [[Chandragiri Hill]]. Realising that he was nearing the end of his life, Bhadrabahu instructed his disciples to spread the religion and he undertook [[sallekhana]] at Chandragiri.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb142006/spectrum1312382006213.asp |title=A place soaked in religion|access-date=2006-11-23 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061012044602/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb142006/spectrum1312382006213.asp |archive-date = 2006-10-12}}</ref> However, this account has little authenticity due to the contradiction it offers to ''Darshansaar'', an earlier Digambara text. Two major texts {{En dash}} 10th century CE text ''Darshansaar'' by Devasena, a Digambara ascetic, and 14th century CE text ''Bhadrabahu-charitra'' by Ratnanandi, also a Digambara ascetic, have completely different accounts of how the ''Śvētāmbara'' sect was created. While the previous story mentions that the ''Śvētāmbara'' sect was created in 298 BCE by [[Sthulabhadra]], the former text mentions that it was created in [[Vallabhi]] 136 years after [[Vikramaditya]]'s death and by a monk named ''Jinacandra''. Not only the time periods, but also the location of the sect's creation and installation, as well as the name of the originator differs in both these records.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aacharya Shri Devsen Swami |url=https://archive.org/details/Darshansar/page/2/mode/2up |title=दर्शनसार {{!}} Darshansar {{!}} Darshansaar {{!}} दर्शन सार {{!}} Darshan sar {{!}} Darshan saar}}</ref>

Chandragupta Maurya apparently continued to live on this hill worshipping the foot prints of his teacher and later he too took 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr92005/arts11423200548.asp |title=Karnataka's hotbed of Jain religion|access-date=2006-11-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060618070508/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr92005/arts11423200548.asp |archive-date = 2006-06-18}}</ref>

==Architecture and monuments==
There are a number of monuments relating to the Jain religion in Karnataka. The Jain monuments include smaller shrines, Jain temples (known as ''Bastis'' or Basadis), Gommata statues and Sthambas (pillars). Moodabidri is home to the [[1000 Pillar Jain temple]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Ramnarayan | first=Gowri | url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/04/24/stories/2005042400340800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426232914/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/04/24/stories/2005042400340800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 April 2005|work=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 April 2005|title=Moodbidri — woods of yore|access-date=15 July 2018|location=[[Chennai]] }}</ref> The Ganga-Permadi temple at [[Annigeri]] in Navalgund taluq received donation of land from ''mahasamanta'' Katarsa in 1074 CE for maintenance of charity-houses.{{sfn|Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh|2008|p=83}} Another temple named ''Samyakratnakara basadi'' situated at Mugad, [[Dharwad district]] received a similar donation some time before 11th century CE.{{sfn|Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh|2008|p=83}}

The most prominent among them are as follows:<ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jXhb38DquzUC|title=Documentation Update: October 2004 to March 2005|publisher=EQUATIONS|page=29}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:View_of_Akkana_Basadi_from_northeastern_side_at_Shravanabelagola.jpg|[[Akkana Basadi]], [[Shravanabelagola]]
File:Panchakuta_Basadi_(10th_century_AD)_at_Kambadahalli.JPG|[[Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli|Panchakuta Basadi]]
File:Bhagwan Chandraprabha 20250701 172853551.NIGHT~3.jpg|Bhagwan Chandraprabha at [[Mandaragiri]], Karnataka
File:1000-Pillar-Temple-Moodbidri-Left-Side-View.JPG|[[Saavira Kambada Basadi]], the 1000 pillar Jain temple at [[Moodabidri]]
File:Rear_view_of_Shantinatha_basadi_at_Jinanathapura.JPG|[[Shantinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura]]
</gallery>
===Basadis (Bastis)===
* [[Shravanabelagola]]
** [[Chandragiri Hill|Chandragiri]]: [[Chandragupta Basadi]], [[Chamundaraya Basadi]], [[Parshvanatha basadi, Shravanabelgola|Parshvanatha basadi]]
** [[Vindhyagiri]] (Vindyagiri): [[Odegal Basadi]]
** Town: [[Akkana Basadi]], [[Bhandara Basadi]]
* [[Moodabidri]]- Also known as "Jain Kashi"
** [[Saavira Kambada Basadi]] - The 1000 pillar Jain temple
** [[Guru Basadi]]
** There are 18 other Basadis in and around Moodabidiri.
* [[Halebidu]]
** [[Basadi complex, Halebidu]] - 3 Basadis
* [[Karkala]] and [[Gerusoppa]]
** [[Chaturmukha Basadi]]
* [[Belgaum]]
**[[Kamal Basadi]]
* [[Lakshmeshwara]]
** [[Shanka Basadi]]
* [[Varanga]]
** [[Kere Basadi]]
* [[Shantinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura]]
* [[Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli]]
* [[Chaturmukha Basadi, Gerusoppa]]
* [[Chandranatha Basadi, Hadavalli]]
* [[Parshvanatha Basadi, Gundwad]]

===Statues of Gommata===
{{main|Bahubali}}
[[Shravanabelagola]] has the world famous monolithic statue, [[Gommateshwara statue]]. Similar Monolithic statues of Lord [[Bahubali]] can be also seen in [[Venur]], [[Dharmasthala]], [[Karkala]] and [[Mysore]].

There are five monolithic statues of Bahubali in [[Karnataka]] measuring more than 20 feet in height.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
* 57 feet at [[Shravanabelagola]] in [[Hassan District]] in 981 CE
* 42 feet at [[Karkala]] in [[Udupi District]] in 1432 CE
* 39 feet at [[Dharmasthala]] in [[Dakshina Kannada]] District in 1973 CE
* 35 feet at [[Venur]] in [[Dakshina Kannada]] District in 1604 CE
* 20 feet at [[Gommatagiri]] in [[Mysore District]] in 12th Century CE

In all of the above-mentioned places, the holy festival of ''[[Mahamastakabhisheka]]'' is held once every 12 years when the statue of Bahubali is worshiped and bathed in holy water, milk, turmeric, and other natural herbs that have their own significant importance.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qqei_Wo1qXwC|title=Pilgrimage Centres of India|first=Brajesh|last=Kumar|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|date=2003|isbn=9788171821853|page=199|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TT_u45_WfCUC|title=Travel House Guide to Incredible India|publisher=Har Anand Publications|date=2004|isbn=9788124110638|page=243|language=en}}</ref>

<gallery heights=120 widths=160>
File:Bahubali Shravana Belagola.jpg|[[Gommateshwara statue]] at Shravanabelagola, 978-993 AD
File:Gomateshwara Statue, Karkala.jpg|[[Gommateshwara statue, Karkala]] (1432 CE)
File:Gomateshwara of Dharmasthala.jpg|Bahubali monolith of Dharmasthala (1973 CE)
File:Venur - Bahubali.JPG|Bahubali monolith of Venur (1604 CE)
File:Statue of Bahubali at Gommatagiri, Mysore.JPG|Bahubali status at Gommatagiri (12th Century CE)
</gallery>

==Jainism in North Karnataka==
{{main|Jainism in North Karnataka}}
[[File:Jain temple at Lakkundi built in the Kalyani Chalukya style.jpg|thumb|[[Brahma Jinalaya]] at [[Lakkundi]] ]]
[[File:Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal.JPG|thumb|[[Pattadakal#Jain Narayana Temple|Jain Narayana temple]], a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] ]]

Jainism in North Karnataka flourished under the [[Chalukyas]], [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]] and [[Rashtrakutas]], and [[Vijayanagara Empire]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.indiaprofile.com/religion-culture/jainisminkarnataka.htm
|title=The Jain Legacy In Karnataka
|access-date=2008-08-20
}}</ref> Imbued with an intense religious feeling, lavish patronage was extended towards the building of basadis, temples and magnificent statues. [[Jainism]] enjoyed the highest repute among the people particularly the ruling classes and the mercantile community thus virtually becoming the state religion.

The earliest dated structure is a [[Basadi]] at [[Halasi]] built under the [[Kadamba Dynasty]] of [[Banavasi]] thus laying the foundation for Jain architecture in [[North Karnataka]]. [[Rastrakutas]] period is the golden age of Jainism in Karnataka. The Jaina monuments of the Rashtrakutas period are found at [[Pattadakal]], [[Malkhed]], [[Lakshmeshwar]], [[Koppal]], Bankur, of North Karnataka. Jainism exerted considerable influence over the cultural life of Karnataka during the rule of the Rashtrakutas.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JpnoCwAAQBAJ|title=Karnataka's Rich Heritage - Art and Architecture|edition=From Prehistoric Times to the Hoysala Period|first=Lalit|last=Chugh|publisher=Notion Press|date=2016|isbn=9789352068258|page=312|language=en}}</ref>

[[Kadambas]] of [[Banavasi]] were known to be patrons of Jainism. After the rule of the Kadambas of Banavasi most parts of north Karnataka came under the rule of the early Chalukya or [[Badami Chalukyas]].{{Sfn|Sangave|2001b|p=174}}

The [[Chalukyas]] of [[Badami]] built cave temples at [[Badami]], [[Pattadkal]] and [[Aihole]]. [[Lakshmeshwara Jain temples|Puligere]] (modern [[Lakshmeshwara]]) was a strong centre of religious activities of the Jain monks during this era.{{Sfn|Abram|2003|p=285}}

[[Lakkundi]] in [[Gadag District]] has a large Brahma Jinalaya of ''Chalukya'' style, built by a noble lady, [[Attimabbe]].{{sfn|Hartmann|Ray|2020|p=2360}}

[[Navagraha Jain Temple]] at Varur near [[Hubli]] is one of the major pilgrimage. The temple features a 61 feet (18.6 m) tall monolithic idol of the Shri 1008 Bhagavan Parshvanatha and the smaller statues of the other 8 Jain teerthankaras.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/hubli-gets-magnificent-jinalaya/article368643.ece Hubli gets magnificent ‘jinalaya’.] The Hindu, 6 January 2009.</ref>

==Religious organisations==
{{main|Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha}}
The [[Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha]] is a religious and social service organisation of the [[Jainism|Jain]]s of South India. The organisation is headquartered at [[Kolhapur]], Maharashtra, India.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OmBjoAFMfjoC&q=dakshina+bharat+jain+sabha&pg=PA368 |title=People of India: Maharashtra - Kumar Suresh Singh |isbn=9788179911006 |access-date=2013-01-30|last1=Bhanu |first1=B. V. |year=2004 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |language=en}}</ref> The association is credited with being one of the first Jain associations to start reform movements among the Jains in modern India.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LW8czr_HzzwC&q=South+Indian+Jain+Association&pg=PA235 |title=The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society |date= 4 April 1991|publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521365055 |access-date=2013-01-30|editor-last1=Carrithers |editor-first1=Michael |editor-last2=Humphrey |editor-first2=Caroline|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JdNNz1jcN9cC&q=South+Indian+Jain+Association&pg=PA72 |title=A World Religions Reader |date= 26 May 2009 |isbn=9781405171090 |access-date=2013-01-30|last1=Markham |first1=Ian S. |last2=Sapp |first2=Christy Lohr|publisher=John Wiley & Sons |language=en}}</ref> The organisation mainly seeks to represent the interests of the native Jains of Maharashtra ([[Marathi Jains]]), Karnataka ([[Kannada Jains]]) and [[Jainism in Goa|Goa]].

== List of famous temples ==
[[File:Chandragiri hill temple complex at Shravanabelagola.jpg|thumb|[[Chandragiri Hill]] Temple Complex, [[Shravanbelgola]] ]]
[[File:Chaturmukha Basadi.jpg|thumb|[[Chaturmukha Basadi]] ]]
[[File:Old jain temple belgaum (1).jpg|thumb|[[Kamal Basadi]] ]]
[[File:Profile of the Parshvanatha basadi (1133 AD) at Halebidu.JPG|thumb|[[Jain temples, Halebidu|Parshvanath Basadi]], [[Halebidu]], a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] ]]
[[File:Badami, Höhle 4, Bahubali (1999).jpg|thumb|Bahubali in [[Badami cave temples]] ]]

; Cave temples
* [[Badami cave temples]] in [[Badami]]
* [[Aihole#Jain_cave_temple|Aihole cave temple]]

; Main temples
* [[Shravanabelagola]], a monumental statue of Saint Gomateshwar([[Bahubali]]) in [[Hassan district]].
* [[Karkala]], 1. Hiriyangadi Basadi 2. Chathurmukha Basadi 3. Padmavathi Kere Basadi. The famous monolithic {{convert|42|ft|m}} [[Gommateshwara statue, Karkala|Gommateshwara statue]], the second tallest in Karnataka is also here.
* [[Dharmasthala]], a {{convert|39|ft|m}} Gomateshwara idol.
* [[Venur]], a {{convert|35|ft|m}} Gomateshwara idol.
* [[Gommatagiri]], a {{convert|20|ft|m}} Gomateshwara idol.
* [[Moodabidri]], 18 ancient Jain temple including [[Saavira Kambada Basadi]] the Thousand Pillars Temple and [[Guru Basadi]]
* [[Brahma Jinalaya]] in [[Lakkundi]]
* [[Humcha Jain temples]]
* [[Navagraha Jain Temple]] in [[Hubli]]
* [[Sankighatta]]
* [[Jain Narayana temple, Pattadakal]]
* [[Kundadri]] : It is said this is Samadhi sthal of [[Acharya (Jainism)|Acharya]] [[Kundakunda]]
* [[Chaturmukha Basadi]] in [[Karkala]]
* [[Akkana Basadi]]
* [[Odegal basadi]]
* [[Parshvanatha basadi, Shravanabelgola|Parshvanatha basadi]]
* [[Jain Basadi complex, Halebidu|Basadi complex]], [[Halebidu]] : 1. Parshvanatha Basadi 2. Shantinatha Basadi 3. Adinatha Basadi
* [[Varanga]] – This is an important Jain centre. The [[Kere basadi]] is located in midst of a lake. There are many other basadis too.
* [[Aihole#Jain Temples|Aihole Jain complex]] - Meguti Jain temple, Charanthimatha Group of temples, Yoginarayana group and Jain cave temple
* [[Kanakagiri Jain tirth]]
* [[Lakshmeshwara#Shanka Basadi|Shanka Basadi]] & Ananthanatha basadi at [[Lakshmeshwara]]
* [[Chandragupta basadi]]
* [[Shravanabelagola#Basadi|Basadi complex]] in [[Shravanabelagola]]
* [[Shantinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura]]
* [[Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli]]
* [[Hadavalli|Hadavalli Jain Temple]]
* [[Chavundaraya Basadi]]
* [[Narasimharajapura]]
* [[Kamal Basadi]] & Chikki Basadi at [[Belgaum Fort]]
* [[Chaturmukha Basadi, Gerusoppa]]
* [[Mandaragiri]]
* [[Manyakheta#Ancient institutions|Jain Bhattaraka Math]] at [[Manyakheta]]
* [[Aagam Mandir, Tumkur]]
* [[Kamthana#Parshavanatha Teerthankara Jain temple|Kamthana Jain temple]]
* [[Places of worship in Bangalore#Jainism and Jain derasars|Shri 1008 Adinath Digamber Jin Mandir]], [[Jayanagar, Bangalore]]
* [[Places of worship in Bangalore#Jainism and Jain derasars|Shri Mahavira Digambara Jain temple]], [[Chickpet]]
* [[Kalya (Kalyana pura)]]
* [[Gundwad|Gundwad Jain Basadi]]
* [[Barkur#Temple Architecture|Kathale Basadi]], [[Barkur]]
* [[Sringeri#Sri Parshwanath Swamy Basadi|Sri Parshwanath Swamy Basadi]]
* [[Attibele#Jain Temple|Shri Parshwa Sushil Dham]], [[Attibele]]
* [[Hangal#Jain temple at the fort|Jain temple inside Hangal Fort]], [[Hubli]]
* [[Hampi#Jain_monuments|Hampi Jain complex]]
* [[Naregal, Gadag#Padmabbarasi basadi|Padmabbarasi basadi]], [[Naregal, Gadag|Naregal]]
* [[Kalaghatagi#Shantinatha Basadi|Shantinatha Basadi]], [[Kalaghatagi]]
* [[Godageri]]
* [[Sargur]]
* [[Attibele#Jain_Temple|Shri Parshwa Sushil Dham]]
* [[Terdal#jain_temple|Shri 1008 Bhagwan Neminath Digambar Jain Basadi.]],[[Terdal]]
* [[Halingali#jain_temple|Shri khetra Badragiri]],[[Halingali]]

==Notable Karnataka Jains==
*[[Rani Chennabhairadevi]]
* [[Kumudendu Muni]] - Author of [[Siribhoovalaya]], a unique multi-lingual literary work.
* [[Shivakotiacharya]]
* [[Chavundaraya]]- Poet
* [[Hampa Nagarajaiah]]
* [[T._K._Tukol|Justice T. K. Tukol]]
* [[Mukhyamantri Chandru]]
* [[Padmanabh Jaini|Professor Padmanabh S Jaini]]
* [[Veerendra Heggade]]
* [[Abhayachandra Jain]]
* [[Shubhachandra]] - Retd. Jainology Professor, Mysore University
* [[Bhavya]]
* [[Abbakka Chowta|Rani Abbakka]]
* [[Durvinita]] - king
* [[Amoghavarsha|Amogavarsha]] - emperor, Pampa, Ranna, Ajitprasad,
* [[Dr.Priti Shrimandhar Kumar]] - Retired Professor(Mysore University), Previous Director- Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies.
Justice R.S.Mahendra

==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
File:Kere Basadi - Varanga.jpg|[[Kere Basadi]]
File:Dallina_Vardamana_Mahaveera_Jain_temple.jpg|[[Sankighatta]]
File:Jain_temple_aihole.JPG|Meguti Jain temple, [[Aihole]]
File:Lakshmeshwara_Old_Jain_temple_1.jpg|[[Lakshmeshwara#Shanka Basadi|Shanka Basadi]], 8th century
File:Star_temple.JPG|[[Places of worship in Bangalore#Jainism and Jain derasars|Adinath Jain temple]], [[Bangalore]]
File:Chavundaraya Basadi on Chandragiri hill at Shravanabelagola.jpg|[[Shravanabelagola#Basadi|Chavundaraya Basadi, Shravanabelagola]]
File:Gommateshwara.jpg|[[Odegal Basadi]], [[Vindhyagiri Hill]]
File:View of Chandragupta Basadi at Chandragiri hill in Shravanabelagola.jpg|[[Chandragupta basadi]]
File:Backside view of Basadi in Humcha.jpg|[[Humcha]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Religion|India}}

*[[History of Jainism]]
*[[Timeline of Jainism]]
*[[Jainism in North Karnataka]]
*[[History of Karnataka]]
*[[Kalya (Kalyana pura)|Kalya Inscriptions]]

==External links==
{{commons category|Jainism in Karnataka}}
* [http://203.200.22.249:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1593/1/Jainism_and_Karnataka_culture.pdf Jainism and Karnataka culture (pdf)]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

== References ==
=== Citation ===
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{Citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhJBfbhTAAC |title=South India |first=David |last=Abram |publisher=Rough Guides |date=2003 |isbn=9781843531036}}
* {{Citation|last1=Hartmann |first1=Jens-Uwe |last2=Ray |first2=Himanshu Prabha |url={{Google books|KWHwDwAAQBAJ|pg=PT2360|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|title=Power, Presence and Space South Asian Rituals in Archaeological Context| series=Archaeology and Religion in South Asia |date=2020|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] | isbn=9781000168808 | volume=5 }}
* {{citation |last=Sangave |first=Vilas Adinath |title=Aspects of Jaina religion |edition=3rd |date=2001a |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I8RUPwAACAAJ |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[Bharatiya Jnanpith]] |isbn=978-8126307203 }}
* {{Citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzEQJHWUwXQC |title=Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and Culture |first=Vilas Adinath |last=Sangave |publisher=Popular Prakashan |date=2001b |isbn=978-8171548392}}
* {{citation |last=Singh |first=Ram Bhushan Prasad |title=Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka |url={{Google books|JtWGm4E4qZIC|plainurl=yes}} |year=2008 |orig-year=1975 |publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]] |isbn=978-81-208-3323-4 |ref={{sfnref|Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh|2008}} }}

{{Jain temples}}
{{Karnataka topics}}
{{Jainism Topics}}

[[Category:Jainism in Karnataka| ]]
[[Category:Society of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Jain communities]]
[[Category:Social groups of Karnataka]]

Jainism in Karnataka - Revision history

Eldarljt at 20:59, 27 February 2026