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KUMARI JAINISM DURING THE WODEYARS OF MYSORE
Santaraja. It is relevant to note in this context that the Wodeyar rulers maintained a close affinity with the Jaina Brahamana sect and the latter influence in the royal court was consistent until the end of Krishnaraja Wodeyar's III (1799-1868) reign.8 Raja Wodeyar is even believed to have regulated his Food habits under the prevailing influence of Jaina officials in the royal court. 8a Further, the king is said to have made land grants to Adinatha Tirthankara Basadi at Srirangapattana and built an enclosure to the Basadi at Kanakagiri at Maleyure Ksetra.9 It should be noted that Maleyure was an important religious center of the Jainas during the hey days of Jainism in Karnataka. The independent Jaina Matta named after Acharya Akalanka is stated to have existed at Kanakagiri ksetra.
Chamaraja Wodeyar (1617-1637) who succeeded Raja Wodeyar to the throne of Mysore followed the benevolent policy of his predecessors towards Jainism. He took special interest in rejuvenating the religious activities of Sri-Jaina Matta.10 Less than a decade after the demise of Raja Wodeyar, Sravanabelagola, the chief religious center of the Jaina community had gone to wrack and ruin.11 Even the Lands belonging to the basadis of this kshetra had also been mortgaged.12 Further, Charukeerti Panditacharya of the Jaina Matta had even escaped from Sravanabelagola leaving the center of its own fate. 13 Details pertaining to this fact of this are narrated in an inscription on the Indragiri at Sravanabelagola. 14 From the contents of the inscription it is clear that the king took special interest in saving the Sri-Ksetra from total dissolution. 15 It is obvious from the fact that he expressed his desire to pay off the holder of the mortgaged property belonging to the Jaina Matta. 16 However, having heard of the interest of the king the holders of the mortgaged property they voluntarily redeemed the mortgaged land. 17 Charukeerti Panditacharya was called back from Ballatakipura and was entrusted with the charge of Sri Ksetra the main pilgrimage center of the Jaina community.18 The mortgaged lands were redeemed at the instance of Sri Charukeerti Panditacharya and the king in the presence of the colossus of Bahubali. 19 The king even went to the extent of issuing injunction curtailing the rights of the Purohitas of the respective basadis to have jurisdiction over the lands.20 Instead.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid., p. 222.
9. Ibid., p. 224.
10. E.C. Vol. II. No. 352 (sb).
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid.
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14. Ibid. 15. Ibid.
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
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