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Not many people know that Karnataka has many important Jain pilgrim centers, temples and monuments. Shravanabelagola, Dharmasthala, Karkala, Moodbidri, Venoor, Humcha, Narasimharajapura will astonish the visitors by their vast and abundant Jain heritage. Jainism with their rich cultural heritage and noble preaching of non-violence and peace always enjoyed a significant status in Karnataka. Jainism had royal patronage in the state and the temples and monuments located in different parts of Karnataka are testimony to the glorious days when Jainism held sway over kannadigas. It seems unlikely but true that Jainism was Karnataka's State religion for quite a long period. It has strong roots in the State and the contribution of Jains to Kannada language and literature are many. Infact Pampa, the first Kannada poet was Jain. Jainism acquired a superior place in the history of the region, of the Ganga, Rashtrakuta, Chalukya and other dynasties. Those who are interested in seeing important Jain centers in Karnataka visit only Shravanabelabola which attracts a large crowd every day irrespective of the season or occasion. They often miss-out on other equally important places, mostly in the coastal regions. In-fact these places are endowed with a rich cultural heritage and Jain legacy. It can attract not only Jains, but people of all religions who come here not for religious reasons but simply as tourists. Day Two: Visit Varanga. Then proceed to Moodbidri. On the way visit Karkala Gomata Betta. Visit 1000 pillar temples, Jain Mutts & other important places. Visit to Soans Farms, a world of agricultural & botanical diversity. Those who are interested can shop for spices and fruits. Halt. Day Three: Visit
Dharmastala. Proceed to
Shravanabelagola. Back to Hassan. Halt. Optional: Visit Belur, Halebeedu temples where you can see the world famous Hoysala Architecture. [This is not a Jain Temple.] TEMPLES OF COASTAL KARNATAKA DAY ONE : Proceed to Moodbidri, the Jain Kashi of South and visit the Fruit Garden where you can see the Agricultural Diversity of our Land. DAY TWO : Visit to Kollur, the Mookambika Temple. Hattiyangadi temple and AaneGudde Ganapathi Temple. Evening Boating at River Sowparnika. DAY THREE: Visit to Sringeri Temple and Agumbe Sunset Point. DAY FOUR : Visit to Udupi Krishna Temple Malpe Beach. JAIN KSHETRAS
KARKALA
MOODABIDRI VENUR: A 35ft Gomateshwara can be seen here. Like Karkala, in Venur also the Mahamastakabhisheka will be held once in 12 years. The last Mastakabhisheka was held in February 1999. So the next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in the year 2011.
DHARMASTALA
BASADI Forest produce being the main income, she built her capital in the middle of the forest on an island called 'BASADI'. It had over 70 Basadis (Jain Temples) of which you can see only ruins now. You have the Moodajina, Paarswanaatha, Vardhamaana and Chaturmukha Basadis here. All are well decorated by stony sculptures.
HOMBUJA Other monuments here are Padmavathi Mandira, Panchakoota Basadi, Kshetrapala Mandir, Ashoka Basadi, Sri Parshwanatha Jina temple, The Pearl Pond, Kumuduvathi Theerta, Mahaveer Bhavana. In addition to this, you can also see the ruins of the temple, Silver Temple Cart, Elephant shed etc.
BELUR - HALEBID
Halebedu is 27 kms north-west of Hassan and 17 kms east of Belur. The temples of Halebid - like those of Belur - bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural hertiage of Karnataka. The Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, is astounding for its wealth of sculptural details. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. This magnificent temple - guarded by a Nandi Bull - was never completed, despite 86 years of labour.
SHRAVANABELAGOLA
The statue is clearly visible from a distance of 15 km. One has to climb hundreds of steps chiseled out in the rock to reach the statue. There are two hillocks in Shravanabelagola- Vindhyagiri or Doddabetta and Chandragiri or Chikkabetta. Vindhyagiri is the larger of the two where the statue is located, over looks Chandragiri, where large number of basadies including Chavundaraya basadi, Chandragupta basadi, Parshwanatha basadi, Bhadrabahu cave, Mahanavami mantapa etc are situated. KOLLUR
SRINGERI Other than the nature, the Temples are the main attractions of Sringeri. There are as many as 40 major temples. Pilgrims have to climb up the hills, descend into valleys and cross the river to have Darshan of almost all the deities in the Hindu pantheon. There is something to fascinate every type of the visitor, be he an archeologist, an architect, a sociologist or an educationist. A few temples deserve special mention. The finest among the temple from Architectural point of view is Vidya Shankar Temple. This is a very good example of the blending of the Dravidian & Hoysala style of temple building. The lack of vestibule & a lofty tower, tougher with presence of sculptured panels recall the Hoysala style. But the circumambulatory path (Pradakshina Path), the sculptured pillars, the highly ornamental cornice, the eaves resembling ropes, all these are distinctive features of Dravidian Style. The material used here is hard Granite, not soft soap stone. The harmonious blending of these styles make this temple a beautiful work of art. A special festival is held at the temple dedicated to Sri Sharada Devi during Navaratri. Also there are many temples dedicated to more prominent Rishis which are unique in its own way.
UDUPI SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE The right of worshipping of lord Sri Krishna will be transferred from one swamiji to another swamiji for every 2 years (among the 8 swamijis of 8 mutts). This celebration is called 'Paryayam' (on 17th Jan Night) which draws lakhs of devotees from all over the country. Paryaya Festival, Makara Sankraman, Choornotsava, Laksha Deep are few among the famous festivals in Udupi. Golden Chariot, Brahma Ratha, Geetha Mandira, are other attractions in the temple complex.
VARANGA Chandranath Temple: is dedicated to Mulnayak Bhagwan Chandrapath & the idol is made of Chandrashila and one could see the light across the idol. Jalmandir: This is an unique Shrine in the middle of the lake. On this tiny islet, you can feel the aura so typical of many Jaina holy places. In the year 1711 of Vikram era, Muni Shilvijaya came here on a pilgrimage. In the past, this was a rich and prosperous city. On the hills here, there were sixty temples. At present hundreds of people come here on Fridays for worship. The idols of 4 Tirthankaras are Bhagwan Parsvanatha, Bhagwan Neminath, Bhagwan Ananthanath, Bhagwan Shantinath. Neminath Basadi: This temple is 1000 years old. The bronze idols of 24 Tirthankaras in Kayotsarg posture is in the hall. The idol of Mulnayak Bhagwan Neminath [5 feet tall] is in the Garbhagriha. -------------------------------------------
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