Jinamanjari 2002 04 No 25

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

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Indian among all Jaina, and the word basadi and its derivatives such as vasadi and basti are quite common in southern India.
Historically speaking, records reveal that the institution of Jaina worship was quite prevalent during the time of Kalinga Emperor Khārvela, According to Dr. Shashikant, 94, we come across four types of structures for the purpose: kāya-nisidiyā or relic memorial in the honour of the arihantas (one was commissioned by the Emperor himself), nisiyā or caityā-type structure forming part of monastery (one dedicated by Sindulā), stūpa at Mathura (worshipped by Emperor Khāmvela by performing savagahanas ceremony) and samnivesa or temple with an image of Jina (where Khāravela while in Magadha in the 12th year.)
The temple architecture is a direct result of icon or image worship which appears to have been prevalent among the Jainas from the beginning of historic times, The Buddhist texts speak of the existence of arhat caityas in the Vajji country and Vaiśāli, which had come down from pre-Buddha and so from pre-Mahavira times. From the evidence of the existence of Jina images in cave-temples and structural shrines from Fourth B.C.E. onwards, certain architectural characteristic features keeping with their own culture and ideology tended to make it almost a distinct Jaina art. They are distinct by their decorative sculpture, as distinct from individual statuary, and attain a considerable degree of excellence in the perfection of pillared chambers, one of their favourite forms of architecture. Some art-critics have declared these wrought-chambers to be the finest specimens of the ancient and early medieval Indian architecture. Free-standing pillar in front of basadi, especially in the South is the prototype to have stood within the entrances to the samosarana of the Tirthankara. The stupa as evinced at Mathura was extant till probably the beginning of the medieval times, and lost flavour by the time of the Guptas. "S
The Jain Architectural Phases
Dr. Klaus Fischer has identified four phases in the Jain temple architecture: Early Rock-cut. Barabar hill rock-cut sanctuaries of Lomas Rishi and the Sudāma caves (dated mid-third B.C.E.) and Sonbhandār caves in Rājgir valley in Bihar. Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves (second B.C.E.) of Orissa, and rocky hills with caverns around Keedāvalūr, Madura in the South.
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