International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0974-2832,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5474,April- May (Combind),2013 VOL-IV * ISSUE 51-52

Research Paper -History

Jaina Monuments at Halasi and Belgaum Fort In Belgaum Region

April-May,2013 Research Scholar, Post Graduate Dept. of History, Pacific University, Udaipur, Raj. Introduction HALASI: Jainism has been an important religion of Administrative units or capitals in the Belgaum Karnataka and its contribution to the cultural life of region are popular referred to as Palasika 2000. It was Karnataka too has been substantial. However Jainism early capitals of Kadambas. The Kadambas were known found a direct support under various other dynasties for their own style of temple building. The Kadamba also e.g. Kadambas of Banavasi, Gangas of Talakadu, dynasty was founded by Mayurasharma in about 4th Chalukyas of Badami, Rastrakutas of Manyakheta, century AD. It was believed that Mayura was the first Hoysalas of Dwarsamudra, some Vijayanagara rulars , king of the dynasty and was the ruler during the time Rattas of Saudatti Silaharas of Kolhapur etc. of Pallava King Vishnugopa of Kachipuram. Mayura Jainism is one the earliest religions of the seized the opportunity, formed his own army and drove Belgaum district of Karnataka. It is revealed from the away the Pallavas from Kannada territory. On reaching inscriptions that Jaina saints had come in to the region Chandravalli (near Chitradurga), Mayura took shelter under this study to preach the doctrines of the religion. in a cave and founded his own dynasty. Banavasi, near (Belgaum district Gazetteer-1987, Suryanath u. Kamath). Sirsi, was their first capital and their rule extended to The local Jainas of the district are followers of both the Gomantak or present day Goa. sects that is Digambaras and Swetambaras. The Halasi ( Halsi or Halshi) is one of the ancient Swetambaras followers who are found in the urban towns in Belgaum district. It was Second capital of areas are mostly immigrants from Gujarat and Rajasthan. early Kadambas and a minor capital (during 980 Many Kannada classical works of the Jainas were also AD - 1250 AD) under later Kadambas. where there are composed in the district. Today Jainas are mostly found Bhoo Varaha Narasimha temple, Suvarneshwara temple, in Raibhag, Athani, Chikodi, Belagaum, Hukkeri, and Kapileshwar temple, Hatakeshwara temple, Bailhongal regions, Stavanidhi near Nippani, Kothali Kalmeshwara temple, Gokarneshwara temple and a Jain near Chikkodi, Ugar kurdha, Kagwad, Shedbal, Halasi, basadi built by the Kadamba rulers. Vakkunda, and Bellad Bagewadi are some of the Mrugeshvarma built a Jaina temple at Palasika important centres of Jainism, where monuments are or Modern Halasi in the Belgaum district and granted also found. Jaina temples are technically known as several Nivartanas of land for the benefit of the 'Chaityalaya' (caityAlaya) or 'Jinalaya' (jinAlaya). Yapaniya, the Nirgrantha and the kurchaka sects who However they are called 'basadi' or 'basti' in probably resided in the same temple. The endowment Karnataka. Usually, in these temples there is a synthe- was increased by Harivarma who gave the village sis between the prescriptions made in the ancient texts Vasantavataka to the Kurcakase for meeting their on architecture and iconography and the features annual expenses at the eight day festival of the Jaina adopted by contemporary art styles prevalent during temple which Mrgeshvarma had built at Palasika. The various historical epochs. The major constituents of a balance of the grant was to be spent on providing the Jaina temple in Karnataka are the garbhagriha whole sect of the Digambaras in the 6 th century. (Sanctum), antarALa (vestibule), navaranga mantapa Harivarma also granted the village of Marade for the (saBA manTapa, pillared hall) and a mukhamanatapa use of the holy people who lived in the Jaina temple at (portico). Palasika. Halasi was a centre of confluence of Jainism, Halasi and Devagiri copperplates refer to Vaishnavism and Shaivism during early Kadambas. It grants made to Jain saints and temples. Grants of land was headquarters of Halasige-12,000 province includand whole villages were made to Jain temples for con- ing parts of Belgaum District, Dharwad District and ducting daily rituals and for their maintenance. Haveri District. Mrigesavarma's inscription states that he built a Belgaum Fort: Jinalaya in honor and memory of his father Palasika. He The Kamal Basadi has been built in the later also made grants to several Jain Sanghas. Chalukya style. It has a tiered roof over the shrine. It

* Vimala Sangolli

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International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0974-2832,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5474,April- May (Combind),2013 VOL-IV * ISSUE 51-52

was built in 1204 AD during the period of Kartavirya IV of the Ratta dynasty. It was built by his minister Bichirja. The Kamal Basadi is one of the two Jain temples inside the Belgaum Fort. There is another Jain temple here called the Chikka Basadi, but that temple is currently in ruins. The Kamal Basadi has been built in the later Chalukya style. It was built in 1204 AD during the period of Kartavirya IV of the Ratta dynasty. In this temple, the past present and future Tirthankars 24 for each period are shown on the 72 petals of the lotus flower.There are two pillars that bear Kannada inscriptions, one is of the period Kartavirya IV and another Seluva Krishna. The main shrine has the idol of Neminatha in finely carved

throne. There are also idols and shrines of Bhagawan Sumatinath, Bhagawan Parashvanath covered by a seven hooded serpent, Bhagawan Adinath in Padmasana and a shrine for Navagrahas. Conclusion: Belgaum is rich in various monuments like temples, bastis, forts, palaces remains. The researcher has focussed on one type of monument that is Jaina temple or Jaina Bastis. Jain temples are built withvarious architectural designs. Jain temples in North India Jaina monuments are classified as Shikar-bandhi and Ghar Jain temple which are completely different from the Jain temples in South India, which in turn are quite different from Jain temples in West India.

R E F E R E N C E
1. 2. 3. 4. Desai, P.B. (2001) " Jainsim in South India and Some Jaina Epigraph. Karmakar, A. P Cultural History of Karnataka (Ancient and Medieval) Suryanath U. Kamath Belgaum District Gazzette Ram Bhusan P Singh (1975) Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka ( C A D 500-1200)

SHODH, SAMIKSHA AUR MULYANKAN

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