Jaina Gazette 1927

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

Page 24

MUDIBIDRI
from the authorities of Hosabasti, promised to pay three-fourths of his profits to the temple if he should succeed in his enterprise. Reaching Bhatkal he met a rival whose spurious articles he revealed to the queen. The queen, Bhairadevi of Bhatkal, rewarded him with a handsome present, and on his behalf promised to build a mantapa to the Hosabasti at Mudibidri.
About the architecture of the Bastis," several of which are elaborate buildings with massive stone roofs, and are surrounded by laterite enclosures," Fergusson remarks as follows:
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'The interiors of these temples are in marked contrast with the plainness of exterior. Nothing can exceed the richness or variety with which they are carved, No two pillars seem alike, and many are ornamented to an extent that may seem almost fantastic. This again seems an indication of their recent descent from a wooden origin."
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"A special feature of this style of architecture is a lofty monolithic column called Manasthambha, which is set up in front of seven of the bastis. In two of them a flag-staff (Dhvajasthambha) which consists of wood carved with copper, is placed between the Manasthambha and the shrine. (Dr. Hultzseh).
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No mention about the Bastis of Mudibidri can be complete without a referenee to the "Nyaya Basti or The Temple of Justice" which is situated on a huge granite rock nearly a mile away from the village. It marked the limit between the territory of the Chowtars and of the Ajilaru, a neighbouring kingdom. It was called by the name of the Temple of Justice because it was the place where all disputes between the chieftains were settled. The "Nyaya Basti "is made up of a large slab of granite nearly 12 feet in length which is supported by a pillar nearly 5 feet and a half in height.
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But not much warfare seems to have been done in Mudibidri over which the serene influence of Jinadhata spread with great rapidity. Not men but birds too seem to have imbibed that spirit of non-violence which was characteristic of the Jainas all over the land. Near the western end of the street in which most of the Jainas live, a curious spectacle presents itself. From a number of
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