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opposition of the ruling Mahabali or Bana kings of his neighbourhood. But Didiga as a brave and heroic soldier was bent on conquering his opponents. Consequently he carried an expedition and became victorious over the Bana and the Konkana rulers. On the advice of his Guru Simhanandi, he erected a Jaina Temple at Mandli near Shimoga in the conquered land. With his valour of arm and piety of heart, Kongunivarma became renowned in both the realms of State and the Soul. Like him the Ganga kings who succeeded him, became the great pillars and supporters of Jainism.
Among the later Gangas the names of King Avinita, his son Durvinita, Nitimarga, Butuga, Marsingh, Rachamalla and Rakkasa Ganga stand foremost, though they were all both pious and brave.
Avinita was probably a posthumous son of his father and was crowned king while a boy. He was undoubtedily a Jain. Tradition mentions that while young Avinita once swam across the Kaveri when. it was in full flood with the image of a Jina on his head in all safety. In fact he was brought up under the care of the Jain sage Vijayanandi, who was his preceptor. Avinita married the daughter of Skandvarman, Raja of Punnad and is described in the ins. cription as a "prodigy of valour, unrivalled in the managing of clephants, in horsemanship archery and
