Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 145

108: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
Mudabidri, 35 kms northeast of Mangalore, 18 Jain" basti", most of them on either side of “Temples street”. In the "Hose basadi", the "Guru basadī" and the "Candranātha basadi" there are splendid sculptures and especially a Pārsva in black stone. Seat of a Bhattāraka, this town has a monastery (matha), a dharmaśālā, and a library that contains numerous ancient manuscripts.
Shravana Belgola, (Shravana Belagola), meaning "the white lake of the ascetic”, situated at 50 kms from Hassan, a very important Digambara centre. This one, unique in the world, attracts a crowd of pilgrims, visitors and tourists.
According to Jain tradition, it is believed that in the III"' century BC, Candragupta Maurya and the Jain saint Bhadrabāhu passed away here by following the “sallekhana" ritual. In this little city, one finds: a monastery-temple managed by a Bhattāraka, where young novices (brahmacārin) study sacred books, various schools, a hospital, and a "dharmaśālā”. Behind the monastery, there is a splendid pillar of glory (mānastambha), in front of the "Bhandārī basti". This temple is dedicated to all the Tīrthankara, with their 24 statues at the back of the inner hall.
Among other Jain temples in this sacred place, to see, in particular, the "Akkana basti", that is a model of “hoysala” architecture.
On one of the two hills surrounding the village, called " Candragiri” in memory of Candragupta, there are 14 temples or chapels, the footprints of this renowned Emperor, pillars (nisidi) erected in honour of the numerous devotees who practiced "sallekhanā" ritual here and some beautiful “mānastambha”.
On the other hill, called “Indragiri" (Indra's hill) or “Vindhyāgiri”, there are 7 temples and the renowned huge 58 feet high statue of Bāhubali that was erected, in 981, by the General Cāmundarāya, Minister of King Rājamalla of Ganga dynasty. One may see his nice