Belgaum : Porch of a Jain temple in 1855.

[ General view of Jain temple in front of the fort, Belgaum. ]

This is the photograph of the second Jaina temple in front of the fort at Belgaum in
Karnataka, taken by Thomas Biggs in 1855, from 'Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore'. In
northern Karnataka: now the districts of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bidar, Raichur, Dharwar and
Gulbarga, temple construction proliferated during the period of the Chalukyas of Kalyana
who were the chief power in the Deccan from the 10th to the 12th century. Innovative
builders, their influence continued to inspire dynasties such the Hoysalas who took
over their territory and were also avid builders. Jainism always remained a significant
force in this region and the various dynasties of the Deccan such as the
Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Gangas, Kadambas and Rattas also patronised the
Jaina religion. With the result that there are many Jaina temples at numerous medieval
sites of Karnataka. In the Bombay List of 1874, Henry Cousens wrote, 'Within the fort of
Belgaum there are three old Jaina temples, built, as indicated by the style, about the
year 1200 A.D.' The temple in this view consists of a shrine, a closed hall and an open
hall. The shrine of the temple has walls with plain, horizontal mouldings and a stepped,
pyramidal roof. The open hall or mandapa has a low parapet-wall and a pyramidal roof
supported by lathe-turned pillars.

Courtesy : British Library [ http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/ ]

Collected : Brahmanand Chipre, Tanaji Galli, Belagum.
 Navagraha images at Kamal Basadi, 18 Century AD

Mandap of another Jain Temple near Kamal Basadi, 10 Century AD

Kamal Basadi ( Jain Temple ), 10 Century AD