All India Jain Temples and Tourist Places

Author(s): B C Nagraj
Publisher: ITI Jains Association, Bangalore

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Trivikrama etc. The third cave (also Vaishnava) has images of sitting Vishnu, standing Narasimha etc.
The fourth cave (Jaina) has inscriptions of 7th & 8th Century A.D. This is also called as “Megana Basadi' and has beautiful images of Adinatha, Parshwanatha, Bahubali & Mahavira. 248. AIHOLE (Hunagund Tq., Bijapur Dist. 20 Kms to Pattadakal):
The genesis of South Indian Temple architecture can be seen at Aihole. Once the Capital of great Chalukyas, today is a small sleepy village. The temples here were constructed in all style of architecture during 5th to 8th Century A.D. This was the school of architecture. Among them Meguthi temple, Huchapayas' gudi are important ones. On Meguthi hill there is a basti carved out of the boulders which has Mahavira & Thirthankars bas relieved carvings. 249. PATTADAKAL (Badami Tq., Bijapur Dist. 19 Kms. from Badami).
The world famous temples here have been built in the architecture styles of Dravida, Nagara & Vesara. Among them the important ones are Jaina Basti, Virupaksha Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Papanatha Temple, Kasinatha Temple, Galaganatha Temple etc.
This temple complex has been declared as "World Heritage Monument".
TAMIL NADU :
Southern India, particularly Tamil nadu is the seat of ancient Dravidian civilization. Tamil nadu's legecy of art and architecture is best expressed in its temples. It is known for its rich heritage, dance and music.
The history of Tamil nadu dates back to the centuries before Christ. For long time the Tamil country was ruled by the famous Pallava, Chola and Pandya kings. The Pallavas, Cholas and later Nayak Kings were the great patrons of art and built gigantic monuments proclaiming for all time the mighty engineering skill. Bharathanatyam, the classical dance form has acquired world fame.
The ancient hill caves of jain monks at Sittanvasal acknowledges the spread of Jainism in Tamil nadu. It is the dark pages of the history that a chola king beheaded one thousand jain monks due to fanatism.
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