Gyandhara

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Saurashtra Kesari Pranguru Jain Philosophical and Literary Research Centre

Page 296

The Glorious Jain Tradition of Karnataka (5th & 12th Century)
Ila Shah
Diploma in Jainolagy
(lla Shah is a co-ordinator of Jain acedemy Mumbai & she is connected with world jain confederation.)
Introduction
When we talk about the antiquity of Jainism the area that comes in our imagination is North & Eastern India where it flourished since all most all Tithankara's auspicious presence made that region sacred when they were in human body. This is the reason Jain tradition bollmed in full in this area. The southern part of India has the glorious history of the tradition but we do not have any account of any Tirthankara visited this region. This amy be the reason that it has escaped from our notice that influence of Jainism was so strong that not only layman but the royal families of South followed the religion. With my late father I had several time visited the beautiful temples of Halebid & Belur and also Shavan Belgoda which still dominates the same importance. I also had chance to see those priceless 35 rare gems statues in Mudbidri, today totally prohibited or one can see only with high influence. Once upon a time all the
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