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THE JAINA TEMPLES IN KARNATAKAA CANONICAL STUDY
Prof: Tejaswini Jangda - Project Assistant -Karnataka Samskrit
University - Bangalore
Karnataka, A southern state in India, is the cradle of Indian Temple architecture. The state has a rich heritage of Jaina art and architecture. This state has been the fertile ground for the development of Jainism, a prominent religion in India. This religion entered the state before third century B.C. and flourished strongly. In southern Karnataka the Gangas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara dynasties patronized jaina architecture
THE ORIGIN OF JAINA ARCHITECTURE
The origin of Jaina architecture in north Karnataka is still uncertain as the vestiges of the early period have not come down to us. The Kadambas of Banavasi who were known to be patrons of Jainism as clearly evidenced by the inscriptions of the period. The existence of Jaina temples during the period of the Kadambas of Banavasi is clearly proved by their epigraphs. The earliest reference, a grant given by a Kadamba king to a Jaina saint is found in the Halasi copper plate of kakusthavarman. The famous Gudnapur inscription of Ravivarman is more explicit on this point However, many of them refer to a Jaina temple at Halasi. The Jaina temple now standing at Halasi is not earlier than eleventh century A.D. Perhaps they might have been built by wood and obviously perished. That would, show the contribution of the Kadambas of Banavasi to the Jaina architecture of Karnataka.
HALUKYAS OF BADAMI
After the rule of the Kadambas of Banavasi most parts of north Karnataka came under the rule of the Badami Chalukyan kings. The rulers of this dynasty patronised Jainism. The Jaina architectural beginnings made earlier by the Kadambas of Banavasi, crystalised into better structures in stone during the early Chalukyan period. The Chalukyas of Badami are known for their rock cut temples as well as structural temples. At Badami there are four rock cut temples belonging to Saiva, Vaishnava and Jaina faiths. The fourth cave is the Jaina cave dedicated to Adinatha Tirthankara. (PL-1),(PL-2). In the inner mantapa on both sides are found two sculptures of Mahavira. In addition there are sculptures of twenty eight Jinas. It is31 ft. wide and the depth is 16 ft. The entire composition is very elegant. This cave has brahmakanta sthambas.(PL-3) The vardhaka feature is clearly noticed on these pillars. The shaft has bands.
(Pl-4) The pothika has kumbha ,mandi and palaka.(PL-5) The upper part of the shaft has mukthagrasas,(PL-6) which can be noticed on the pillars of this period. The pedestal-pitha of these sthambas are carved in the inverse tapering form. On the shaft the sculptures of Bahubali and Thirtankaras are carved in relief .The makara torana which surrounds Bahubali has decorated vallis with simhamukhi at the pinnacle.The architectural mouldings are prepared as dealt in Mayamata.There is no adhistana. The ceiling has the decorations of vardamana design of the
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