Jain Journal 2000 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 23

KUMARI : JAINISM DURING THE WODEYARS OF MYSORE
135
The Anantanatha basadi at Saligrama was rebuilt by Veerappa and his brother Timmappa in 1872 A.D.. 141 An inscription, on the pedestal of the image of Anantanatha Tirthankara, assigns the antiquity of the image of twelfth century A.D. 142 Hosa basadi, Nemiswar basadi, Parswanatha basadi and Chaturtha basadi - all these seem to have been built during the later years of the 19th century.
Socio-Religious practices of the Jains as observed by European travellers
It is due to fundamental doctrinal differences, the Jainas and other Hindu communities almost lived apart; and they hardly mixed with each other in relation to socio-religious ceremonies. This was noticed by Abbe. J.A. Dubbe, during his travels in Mysore. He observes :
The Jains form perfectly a distinct class. Brahmins never attended any of their religious or civil ceremonies, while Jains on their part never attended those of the Brahmins. They have their own temples, and men professing the same tenets as themselves fill the priestly office. 143
It is apparent that, in addition to their own festivals, the Jains also observed other great festivals like Ugadi, Sankranti, Mahanavami and Gouri etc., as they constituted either regional or seasonal festivals. However, while doing so the cultural system is being Jainised with in the well-established Socio-religious structure.
Col. Mackenzie who studied the distinctive aspects of Jaina religious life, observes :
Ram is never represented by an idol in a basadi; although he is acknowledged to be a Siddha; and although Ganesha and Hanuman are acknowledged to be devas these favourities of the followers of the Vedas have no image in the temples of the Arhants. 144
Francis Buchanon, the survey officer, who visited Mysore after the fall of Tippu Sultan ridicules the poor awareness of the Jains regarding the richness of their culture and antiquity. He reports that they were not qualified to give any satisfactory information concerning the origin of their order or the means by which it came to prevail over other. 145
141. Ibid., Vol. Nos. 58-60. 142. Ibid., No. 63. 143. Abbe J.A. Dubois, op.cit., p. 699. 144. Accounts of the Jains, Vol. IX, p. 286. 145. Buchanon, op.cit., Vol. I, p. 142.