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68 / The Later Gangas : Mandali-Thousand
We are not in a position to differentiate between the architecture of the kings and the architecture of the people, since the 'Chapel royal' (pasta jinālaya) has undergone so many changes in the course of nine hundred years.
The Jaina style of architecture, on the whole is uncomplicated and does not differ much from non-jaina styles. Looking at the Jaina sanctuaries from a distance, one will easily say that it looks like any other temples. But, only a careful examination of the details, both the outside and the inside of the shrine, will reveal the items and details of difference from non-jaina temples and the elements of its own characteristic Jaina features.
The exterior of the temple may not look so graceful, but the interior details are lively; particularly the breath-taking beauty of its doorways and pillars are typical of the Mandali-nād temples. This can be seen in the sanctuaries at Nyāmati, Basavana-Gangūr, Shimoga, Harakere and Gurupura. These marvels would never have been accomplished, had the ruling mahāmandalesvaras not taken a keen interest in them. Their interest and zeal in these works could be explained only if they lived so close by to these basadis that they and their consorts could visit the sanctuaries as often as they wished. Therefore, a careful examination and fieldsurvey indicate that, the Ganga family might have been ruling the Mandali nād in a feudatory capacity, with their residence at the present Harakere vicinity.
We get manifold sources of information for reconstructing an authentic account of the political, social, economic, religious and cultural conditions of the Mandali nāļ.
The political stability and the economic prosperity during the reign of the Cālukyas prompted the Mandali rulers to patronise different temples and to create permanent endowment in its favour. Goddess Padmāvatidevi
Of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jaina order, only Jina Pārsvanātha temples played a prominent role in the Mandalināļ for two reasons:
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