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achievements of ancient Karnataka in the realm of the western Gangas and is evolved out of the Chalukyan sculptural art. Also referred to as Lord Bahubali, the styles at Badami and Aihole. One the same hill can be image is nude an stands upright in the posture of seen the Chandraprabha Basadi dedicated to the meditation known as kayotsarga, reaching a height of gth tirthankara by the same name. It is one of the nearly 57 ft atop the Vindyagiri of Doddabetta hills oldest basadis on the hill and can be assigned to the accessible through a flight of 500 steps. The image of early 9th century under the reign of Sivamara, a Ganga Gommata has curly hair in ringlets and long, large king. ears. His eyes are open as if viewing the world with While at Sravanbelagola one can also gain insights detachment. His facial features are perfectly chiseled into Jaina mythology through some of the finest with a faint touch of a smile at the corner of his lips paintings depicted on the walls of the Sri Jains matha. and embody calm vitality. His shoulders are broad, Rich in colours and harmonious in composition, these his arms stretch straight down and the figure has no paintings of the 19th century depict royal processions support from the thigh upwards. There is an anthill in and festivities, monks, women in brightly coloured the background which signifies his incessant penance. sarees, forest scenes of wild animals and other topics From this anthill emerge a snake and a creeper which that shed light on the domestic, religious and social twine around both his legs and his arms culminating life of the people. Of particular significance is as a cluster of flowers and berries at the upper portion the durbar (court) scene of Krishnaraja Wodeyar of the arms. The entire figure stands on an open lotus indicating the warm relations that the Wodeyars of signifying the totality attained in installing this unique Mysore enjoyed with this holy pilgrimage. statue. Amazingly, inspite of being constantly exposed Another concrete expression of the intensity of to weather elements, the image has remained as new Jaina art is the sthambha, the free standing pillar in as ever.
front of every basadi. Elegantly carved out of granite, On either side of Gommata stand two tall and these are classified as Brahmadeva Sthambha and majestic chauri bearers in the service of the Lord. One Manasthambha. While the former portrays the figures of them is a yakshi and the other one is ayakshi. These of Brahmanical gods, the latter is depictive of Jaina richly ornamented and beautifully carved figures faith. Manasthambha pillars can be found elsewhere complement the main figure. Carved on the rear side in the country but the Brahmadeva pillars are of the anthill is also a trough for collecting water and restricted to the South, a fine specimen of which can other ritual ingredients used for the sacred bath of be found in front of the gigantic statue of Gommata the image. Around the statue is an enclosure of a at Sravanbelagola. Extremely attractive is the pillared hall where one can find 43 images of Manasthambha at Mudabidri with a small shrine at tirthankaras in different cloisters. There is also a figure the apex surrounded by four bells and topped with a of a woman called Gullikayajji sculpted with a good gold finial. Such pillars at Karkala and Humcha are built and wearing exquisite ornamentation, typical of equally eye-catching. All these pillars, irrespective of the sculptures of the Ganga period. The Akandabagilu their connotations, are exquisite pieces of art, elegance or the massive door, carved out of a single rock with and decoration. Another pillar of immense interest is an elaborately carved Gajalakshmi in her typical the Tyagada Brahmadevara Kamba at Sravanbelagola posture flanked by two elephants, is another where Chaundaraya has inscribed his genealogy and meritorious work of Jain craftsmanship. This also said his life time achievements. Only segments of the to have been under the guidance and inspiration of inscription are readable. Chaundaraya, the illustrious minister who served
To Be Continued In The Next Issue under the successive rulers of the Gangas namely
000 Marasimha II, Rachamalla IV and Rachamalla V.
76-C, Mangal Flat No. 15, One of the largest temples in the area is the
3rd Floor, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Chaundarya Basadi dedicated to Neminatha, the
Matunga, Mumbai-400019. 22nd Tirthankara depicted under a seven hooded
Mo: 96193/79589 / 98191 79589. canopy and flanked by male chauri bearers. This
Email: kaminigogri@gmail.com temple is unique in its style. It belongs to the era of
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