________________
66 / The Later Gangas : Mandali-Thousand
10. Tribhuvanamalla Nanniya Ganga renovated the crown tem
ple, built by his ancestors, caused to be constructed of stone.
Thus, the Maņdali-Thousand Patta Jinālaya on the hill, was one of the rare temples, as old as fifteen hundred years that continued to enjoy renewed endowments. But it is astonishing that no information is coming forth about the time of the disintegration or the manner of the collapse of this crown temple, which had the status of being the chief of all the temples in the Mandalinād.
It is noteworthy and also of historical importance that the Patta-jinälaya in the town exists to this day in good condition, converted into a Saiva temple. It has undergone some modification: the front elevation is altered, the Vimāna on the temple has been removed, the Jina Pārsva image in the sanctum sanctorum has been replaced with the present Śiva-Linga, and in a nut-shell, almost all the traits of Jaina stamp has been systematically dismantled. Albeit, the original stone pillars of the navaranga, the centre hall of the temple, stand strong in situ, with the sculpture and the north-west pillar contains the inscription of C.E. 1060, all the 26 lines in tact, giving the following details:
The mahāmaņdaleśvara Bhujabala Ganga Permmāļi Barmmadeva made grant of land (specified) for the Pattada basadi of the Mandali Tirtha. And his crowned queen Ganga Mahādevi, his son Mārasingadeva, his younger brother Satya Ganga, his younger brother Rakkasa Ganga, his younger brother Bhujabala Ganga, his son Mārasingadeva Nanniya Ganga Permmāļi - all made grants of land (specified). And in the villages of the nãą, which he ruled, he gave a tribute of five Paņa to the goddess Padmāvatidevi, to continue as long as sun, moon and stars. [Sh. 6. 1060. p. 18; total 26 lines]
The (small) shrine, exclusively built as an abode for housing the goddess Padmāvatidevi, either inside the temple or outside but within the temple complex, does not exist now.
The Rameśvara temple as it (Patta Jinālaya) is called today, is just about three kms from proper Shimoga city. Everyday
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
