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Art and Architecture/219
and its history has venerable importance. Lush, sylvan spot where a pool of shimmering water lay between twin hills, has lent the name of Belgola (Sk. Dhavalasaras) to this place. It is so meaningful that the place has the aliases of rşigiri, 'the hill of sages', and Sravaṇabelagola, 'Jaina friars of the white pond'.
8.2.2.3. Sravanabelagola, invaluable treasure trove of art and architecture, has preserved over 550 inscriptions of momentous historical events. Images of Navaratna, nine precious stones, including bronze and other metals, a sştabhaņdāra, library of palm leaf manuscripts - have made the place more significant. With its history of over two millenia, Sravanabelagola is the oldest and foremost of the Jaina pilgrimage seats in India, after Sammēta sikharji, Pāvā and Rājgir (Rājagļha) in Bihar and Girnār in Rajasthan.
8.2.3. In the series of storeyed Jaina shrines of this period, three-shrined Settavva basadi at Aihole, facing east, elaborate on plan and execution, comprises of three wombhouses, three halls articulated with vimāna, and a common sabhāmaņdapa. Settavva basadi is dedicated to Arhat Pārsva and other Jinas. The crowning cupola above the central sanctum houses the upper shrine which has a porch adjoining it. "The upper shrine, small in size, measures about 4' 6" x 46". The porch is smaller than the shrine. One need not be surprised if this trikūta basadi inspired the later trikūtas of the Jains" (Rajasekhara : 25). This Jinālaya has reosettees, scrolls with Yakşa, sugarcane like pilasters, designed rope with oblong blocks at intervals and the petal moulding. Another rare feature of the basadi is that Gajalakṣmi sculpture, instead of the usual Jinabimba, adorns as its lalāțabimba, tutelary image over the door frame. Gajalakşmi at the lalāta is found in the Jaina temples at Bankūr, Harijanvāda etc.
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