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THE JAINA HERITAGE OF KARNATAKA AND ŚRAVANABELGOLA
ROBERT J. DEL BONTA
It is clear that the Jainas were firmly entrenched in Karnataka from very early times whether one accepts the Bhadrabāhu story or not to explain the presence of the Jaina community in South India. The Early Calukyas of Bādāmi are known to have patronized the Jainas as well as the Hindus throughout their history and their ultimate successors to northern Karnāțaka, the Late Cālukyas of Kalyāņi, have left many architectural remains dedicated to the Jaina faith. The influence of Jainism in the southern half of the state was even more important and practically all of the numerous dynasties of that area had Jaina phases to their histories. The principal powers of the region, the Gangas of Talakād and the Hoysalas, were clearly Jaina at their origins.
The site of Sravanabelgoļa may be the most spectacular in the present state of Karnāțaka but Jajna remains are spread throughout the Kannada regions with a major concentration in South Kanara District in and around Mudabidri near the large city of Mangalore on the west coast. Although very little remains from pre-Medieval times, some lovely temples built by the Gangas are found at Kambadahalli (Mandya District) and Sravanabelgola. Many bastis remain from the Hoysala period with impressive bastis at Bastihalli, part of the royal capital Haļebid, and some sixty other sites including a large number of Hoysala dedications at Sravanabelgola.
What is most important about Sravanabelgola is its endurance and growth throughout the centuries. It is a site of incredible diversity of form, of style, and dynastic patronage. Where most of the other sites in Karnātaka date from a very specific time, Sravanabelgoļa developed over the centuries and represents some of the greatest achievements of the Kannadiga craftsman. From the very simple bastis
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