Jain Digest 1988 05 Vol 12 No 06

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 23

KARKALA JAIN MUTT, KARNATAKA, INDIA
AN HISTORICAL REPORT
The word, "Bhattaraka", in India's oldest language, Prakrit, refers to one who is a celebate, amassed vast knowledge of Agama, its meaningful essence, and the ecclesiastic chief of the regional or local Jain Mutt that officiates and administers the governing traditions of Jain Religion and its followers known as shravakas.
There are many Jain Mutts in India, and the important ones, in the present, are at Sravanabelagola, Humcha, Moodabidri, Simhana Gadde, Karkala, Kolhapur, Nandini and Jina Kanchi. Kolhapur and Nandini are in Maharashtra state; Jina Kanchi is in Tamil Nadu state and the rest are all located in Karnataka state.
The Karkala Mutt, located in the town of Karkala in the western coastal district of Karnataka, has a long history of its inception and it dates back to several centuries. The Bhattarak of Karkala Mutt is always named Lalitkirti.
The ruler of Karkala area during the 15th century was Bhairava. He was Jain, and he decided to establish a Jain Mutt in his kingdom for the propogation of the Faith. The epigraphy, on the right side of the statue of Lord Bahubali in Karkala, records that Bhairava's son Veera Pandya (1420-1450) errected Bahubali statue under the order of his Guru, Bhattarak Lalitkirti, on virodhi krutu phalguna shu/12 in 1352, shalivahana saka corresponding to A.D. 1432.
The Karkala Mutt was established in 1504, about 484 years ago and since then its influence on religious and social developments are vast and varied. The famous poet from Karkala, Jain monk Kalyanakirti wrote few literary master pieces during 1440-1460 at Lord Anant Chaityalaya in Karkala and he mentions that he was a disciple of Lalitkirti Bhattaraka. The Lalitkirti Bhattarak of 1600 wrote an extensive commentary on Jaina Maha Purana and dedicated to Charukirti Bhattarak of Moodabidri Mutt. This work is now housed in Rama Rani Jain Research Institute at Moodabidri. There are many records about Lalitkirti Bhattarakas from 12th century onwards. Important ones are:
1 - Chandranath Chaityalaya in Kalasa of the 12th about Lalitkirti Bhattarak.
century records
2 - The inscription of 14th century at Neminath Chaityalaya, Gerusoppe records that Banga King, Kaviraya installed metallic statue of Lord Bahubali at the behest of Lalitkirti Bhattarak.
1475 records that
3 - Lord Neminath Chaityalaya in Karkala in Lalitkirti Bhattarak constructed the main gallery.
4 - Inscription of 1545 at kere temple records that Shantikirti, disciple of Lalitkirti Bhattarak, influenced shravakas to donate generously to the temple.
&
- based on articles by Dr P.N. Narasimha Murthy
Umanath Shenoy in Gommatavani fortnightly.
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