Jinamanjari 1999 09 No 20

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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Jinamañjari, Volume 20, No.2, October 1999
A HISTORY OF THE BAHUBALI STATURE IN
KARKALA, SOUTH INDIA Y. Umanatha Shenoi, Ujire, Karnataka
Karkala is a taluk headquarters of Mangalore district in Karnataka. On the western side of the town lies Sahyyadri hill which contains several ancient remnants such as inscriptions and basadis (temples). Karkala was the capital of the Jaina Bhairava kings over 600 years ago. However, remnants belonging to the Stone Age are found in neighbouring places. For example, in the center of Parpale hill located near Hiriyangadi there are stone memorials in a cave, and in the Ranjala area there are stones known as Pandavara Kallu and its nearby stone steps that are memorial stones from this period age.
The Kadambas, Calukyas and later Alupas ruled over Karkala. Belmannu copper inscription dating to the eight century C.E. and the Kadandale inscription dating to the ninth century support the data that these dynasties ruled over the region of Karkala. Even the Cautas of Mudbidre and the Kellas of Kellaputtige had Karkala under their rule, however, it was the Bhairavas who were to become known as the chief architects of Karkala for its grandeur and glory.
Who are these Bhairava kings? They are the descendants of the Santaras who ruled from Humcha, and then from Kalasa in Chikkamagalur district.. Bhairavas proclaim that they are the followers of goddess Padmavati of Humcha and their progeny was from Jinadattaraya. How then did they get their name? It is said that Jinadattaraya, who came from Northern Mathura and established the Santara kingdom at Humcha, had a son by name Parsvacandra. Since his mother was a Pandya princess and his father was the devotee of Bhairavi Padmavati, the story goes that they adopted Bhairava name. It is also said that as the mother belonged to the Pandyas of southern Mathura, they also referred themselves as Pandya kings.
Santara being referred as the founders of Tulu Rajya in the inscription, had matrimonial relations with the Alupa kings of Mangalore. The Alupas were defeated by the Cholas, then provided assistance to them. After the rule of Kulasekara I, the Alupa king, they were routed out and then their whole kingdom known as Alvakheda the modern Mangalore district and neighbouring areas). Alvakheda
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