Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 217

Jaina Temple Architecture : South India
195
region. The pivotal role in this regard was played by the Digambara sect of Jainism as all the structural Jaina temples of the period under reference belong to this sect. But it is a pity that at present the Jaina temples of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu alone have survived.
KARNATAKA Karnataka first came into contact with Jainism when a severe drought broke out in Magadha and Bhadrabāhu, the head of the Jainasangha, alongwith the Mauryan emperor Candragupta migrated to the south and settled at Śravanabelagola about B.C. 298. In the beginning of the Christian era Śravanabelagola was developed into an important centre of Jainism by Kundakunda and his lineage. Subsequently, Arhadbali, according to an inscription found in the Siddara-basti at Śravanabelagola, earned great fame through his two disciples, Puspadanta and Bhūtabali, and divided the Mūlasangha into four sub-sects, viz. Sena, Nandi, Deva and Simha, each being further divided into Gaņas and Gacchas. In A.D. 470 Vajranandi founded the Drāvidasangha in Tamil Nadu which was affiliated to the Mülasangha of Śravanabelagola.
Jainism was well received in Karnataka during the times of the Calukyas of Badami. This is evident not only by two Jaina caves excavated at Aihole and Badami but also by the Meguti Jaina temple founded at Aihole in A.D. 634 by the Jaina poet Ravikirtti who wrote the famous eulogy of the Cālukya king Pulakesin II engraved in this very temple.
During the age of the Rästrakütas of Manyakheta (c. A.D. 750-973) Jainism became very popular in Karnataka. This was due to the fact that many Rästrakuta kings had leanings towards Jainism. The Rästrakuta king Amoghavarşa even turned a Jaina and accepted Jinasena, the author of the Adipuräņa, as his religious preceptor. Many inscriptions found at Sravanabelagola also speak of the flourishing condition of Jainism in the State. The capital city of Mänyakheta became an important centre of Jainism at this time since Puspadanta, the author of many Jaina works in Apabhramsa, made
his abode there. The prevalence of Jainism is also known from a group of five rock-cut Jaina caves hewn at Ellora and from two structural Jaina temples raised at Hallur and Pattadakal.
After the Rastrakūtas the main land of Karnataka was ruled by two major dynasties of the Cälukyas of Kalyāna (c. A.D. 973-1189) and the Hoysalas of Dorasamudra (c. A.D. 1047-1346), while the peripheral parts in the north-west, west and south were governed by some minor dynasties of the Gangas of Talkad, the śāntaras of Humca, the Kadambas of Banaväsi and Hangal, and the Rattas of Kuhandimandala. During this long period of Karnataka history Jainism received great patronage from both the royalty and the general public and spread without any hindrance in the State. There were many factors responsible for its spread and development. Firstly, it were the Jaina preceptors who helped in laying the foundation of the Ganga and Hoysala dynasties. Secondly, many kings and queens were so much influenced by Jaina tenets preached by Jaina teachers that they embraced Jaina religion. Thirdly, a good number of people were Jaina, some holding even important posts in the royal court. Under these favourable conditions thus there were raised numerous temples throughout the State. Many land-grants were also issued for their upkeep. The richness of Jainism is also evident from a large number of Jaina temples standing now in various stages of preservation at Aihole, Hurica, Kambadahalli, Annigeri, Angadi, Sravanabelagola, Konnur. Lakkundi, Mulgund, Nagai, Ron, Kuppatur, Lakşmeśvara, Halebid, Huli, Hangal, Heragu, Nittur, Heggeri, Harasur, Udri, Puspagiri, Jinanāthapuram and Belgaum. AIHOLE
Meguti Temple - This is a Jaina temple (Figs. 97-99; Pl. 78) standing on the top of a hillock in the Bijapur district of Karnataka. It is built of sandstone and faces north. The temple is well-known to the historians for the simple reason that it possesses on the east wall of its ardhamandapa the famous inscription
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