Jaina Gazette 1927

Author(s): J L Jaini, Ajitprasad
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office

Page 20

MUDIBIDRI
Chowtar Palace has got certain interesting specimens of Tuluva woodwork. Two wooden pillars bearing representations of a horse composed of five women, and an elephant composed of nine women, called “ Panchanari Turanga " and " Navanari Kunjara " respectively can be seen. Dr. Hultzseh remarks that " These are fantastic annals which are formed by the bodies of a number of shepherdesses for the amusement of their Lord Krishna " (Epig. Reports). Another specimen of Tuluva woodwor's is the lattice that served as a screen between the apartments and the hall in the palace. One of the windows of the room projecting from the old storey has also another wooden screen of delicate design.
IV. More important than these specimens of Tuluva workmanship or the relics of its ancient grandeur is the fact that ever since the 13th Century Mudibidri has been famous throughout the Jaina world as one of the most important centres of Jaina religion. Its fine temples, its large library of Manuscripts and its High-priest all these have attracted hundreds of Jaina devotees to it every year. Both from the point of Architecture and Religion, Mudibidri is a place worth reme.nbering in the History of Jains of India. There are !8 Bastis or Jaina Temples in Mudibidri and they are dedicated to the following ten Tirthankaras :Chandranatha
... 4 Bastis. Vardhamana Shanti natha Neminatha Parsvanatha
(One Temple and
One Matha). Adinatha Mallinatha Padmaprabha Ananthanatha
Munisuvratanatha ... (The last one has been converted into a Sanskrit Pathasala of late). Of all these Bastis or Temples, the two most remarkable
are the Hoşabaşti and the Gurubasti, the archetecture and history Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
... 2