Jain hoysala complex in
Halebidu
Halebidu (IAST: Haḷēbīḍ, literally "old capital, city, encampment" or "ruined city") is a town located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Historically known as Dwārasamudra (also Dorasamudra), Halebidu became the regal capital of the ...
,
Hassan district
Hassan is one of the districts of Karnataka, 31 districts of Karnataka, India. The district headquarter is Hassan, Karnataka, Hassan. It was part of ''Manjarabad Faujdari'' between 1832-81 (Mysore Commission, Commissioner's Rule of Mysore). In ...
consists of three
Jain Basadis (Basti or temples) dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars
Parshvanatha,
Shantinatha
Śāntinātha () or Śānti is the sixteenth of Jainism in the present age (). According to traditional accounts, he was born to King Vishvasena and Queen Aćira of the Ikshvaku dynasty in the north Indian city of Hastinapur. His birth date i ...
and
Adinatha
Rishabhanatha (Devanagari: ऋषभनाथ), also Rishabhadeva (Devanagari: ऋषभदेव, ), Rishabha (Devanagari: ऋषभ, ) or Ikshvaku (Devanagari: इक्ष्वाकु, ''Ikṣvāku''), is the first (Supreme preacher) ...
. The complex is situated near
Kedareshwara temple and ''Dwarasamudra lake''. The temple complex also includes a step well called ''Hulikere Kalyani''.
These temples were constructed in the 12th century during the reign of
Hoysala Empire
The Hoysala Kingdom was a kingdom originating from the Indian subcontinent that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, India, Karnataka, parts of Tamilnadu and South-Western Telangana between the 11th and the 14th centuries Common Era, CE. The c ...
along with
Kedareshwara temple and
Hoysaleswara Temple
Hoysaleshwara temple, also referred simply as the Halebidu temple, is a 12th-century Hinduism, Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It is the largest monument in Halebidu, a town in the state of Karnataka, India and the former capital of th ...
.
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander ...
has listed all three basadi in the complex in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage and are also inscribed as one of the "Adarsh Smarak Monument".
History
Halebidu was the capital of the
Hoysala Empire
The Hoysala Kingdom was a kingdom originating from the Indian subcontinent that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, India, Karnataka, parts of Tamilnadu and South-Western Telangana between the 11th and the 14th centuries Common Era, CE. The c ...
between the when Jainism maintained a strong presence in the region. The region was called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamundra during the rule of Hoysala. Bittiga (later became
Vishnuvardhana
Vishnuvardhana () was a king of the Hoysala Empire in what is today the state of Karnataka, India. He ascended the Hoysala throne after the death of his elder brother Veera Ballala I in 1108. Originally a follower of Jainism and known as ...
), is considered the greatest ruler of Hoysala kingdom and was a Jain till around 1115 after which he converted to
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism () ), also called Vishnuism, is one of the major Hindu denominations, Hindu traditions, that considers Vishnu as the sole Para Brahman, supreme being leading all other Hindu deities, that is, ''Mahavishnu''. It is one of the majo ...
under the influence of the Hindu saint
Ramanujacharya
Ramanuja ('; Middle Tamil: Rāmāṉujam; Classical Sanskrit: Rāmānuja; 1077 – 1157), also known as Ramanujacharya, was an Indian Hindu philosopher, guru and social reformer. He is one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavi ...
. However, he still recognized Jainism on par with Hinduism. During their regime, Hinduism and Jainism co-existed with utmost religious harmony. Vishnuvardhana's wife Shantala Devi, remained a follower of Jainism. These temple were later maintained by
Maharaja of Mysore
The maharaja of Mysore was the king and principal ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore and briefly of Mysore State in the Indian Dominion roughly between the mid- to late-1300s and 1950. The maharaja's consort was called the maharani of Mysore.
In ...
. There are three basadis in this complex:
The ''Parshvanatha Basadi'' was built by Boppadeva in 1133 CE during the reign of King
Vishnuvardhana
Vishnuvardhana () was a king of the Hoysala Empire in what is today the state of Karnataka, India. He ascended the Hoysala throne after the death of his elder brother Veera Ballala I in 1108. Originally a follower of Jainism and known as ...
. Boppadeva was the son of the notable Gangaraja, a minister under Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. The construction of the temple coincided with the victory of
Narasimha I
Narasimha I () (r. 1152–1173 CE) was a ruler of the Hoysala Empire. His main legacy is his victory over his overlord Western Chalukya Empire King Tailapa III, which paved the way for the declaration of independence by his successor. He howe ...
as the royal heir to the throne. The deity therefore is called Vijaya Parsvanatha (''lit'', "victorious Parsvanatha").
The ''Shantinatha Basadi'' was built around 1192 CE, during the reign of
Veera Ballala II
Veera Ballala II (reigned 22 July 1173–1220) was the most notable king of the Hoysala Kingdom. His successes against the Yadavas of Devagiri, the Kalachuris of Kalyani, Southern Kalachuris, the Pandya Dynasty, Pandyas of Madurai and t ...
.
The ''Adinatha Basadi'' is the smallest of the Jain basadis also built in . A monolith of
Bahubali
Bahubali (, ) was the son of Rishabhanatha (the first ''tirthankara'' of Jainism) and the brother of the ''Chakravarti (Sanskrit term), chakravartin'' Bharata (Jainism), Bharata. He is a revered figure in Jainism. He is said to have meditated ...
which was present inside this temple but is now displayed outside Halebidu museum.
The temples along with the capital were plundered and destroyed twice, by
Malik Kafur
Malik Kafur (died February 1316), also known as Taj al-Din Izz al-Dawla, was a prominent general of the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji. He was captured by Alauddin's general Nusrat Khan Jalesari, Nusrat Khan during the Alauddin Khalji's co ...
, general of
Alauddin Khalji
Alauddin Khalji (; ), born Ali Gurshasp, was a ruler from the Khalji dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate in the Indian subcontinent. Alauddin instituted a number of significant administrative changes in the Delhi Sultanate, related to revenue ...
during the
Siege of Dwarasamudra
In late 1310, the Sultan of Delhi Alauddin Khalji sent his slave-general Malik Kafur on an expedition to the southernmost regions of India. In February 1311, Malik Kafur besieged the Hoysala capital Dwarasamudra, and the defending ruler Veera ...
in 1311 and by Sultan
Muhammad bin Tughluq
Muhammad bin Tughluq (; ; 1290 – 20 March 1351), or Muhammad II, also named Jauna Khan as Crown Prince, further known by his epithets, The Eccentric Prince, or The Mad Sultan, was the eighteenth Sultan of Delhi. He reigned from 4 February 1 ...
in 1326. The
Wodeyar
The Wadiyar dynasty,() also referred to as the Wadiyars of Mysore (also spelt Wodeyer, Odeyer, and Wadeyar), is a late-medieval Indian royal family of former maharajas of Mysore from the Urs clan originally based in Mysore city. The Wadiya ...
of
Mysore
Mysore ( ), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. As the traditional seat of the Wadiyar dynasty, the city functioned as the capital of the ...
and
Ummathur
Ummathur is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India.This historical village was once a capital of the Ummathur Province of the Vijayanagara EmpireVillage code= 2906600 Ummathur, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka It is located in the Cham ...
(1399–1610),
Nayakas of Keladi
Nayakas of Keladi () (1499–1763), also known as Nayakas of Bednore () and Ikkeri Nayakas (), were an Indian dynasty based in Keladi in present-day Shimoga district of Karnataka, India. They were an important ruling dynasty in post-medie ...
(1550–1763) were hostile Jains. In 1683, they stamped
linga
A lingam ( , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. The word ''lingam'' is found in the Upanishads and epic literature, wher ...
symbol in the main ''basati'' of Jains in Halebid and Jains were forced to perform Shiva rites.
Architecture
While
Hoysaleswara temple
Hoysaleshwara temple, also referred simply as the Halebidu temple, is a 12th-century Hinduism, Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It is the largest monument in Halebidu, a town in the state of Karnataka, India and the former capital of th ...
and
Kedareshwara temple are famous workmanship, The Jain basadis are famous for architectural tradition. Halebidu Jain complex along with
Pattadakal
Pattadakal (Pattadakallu), also called Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka, India. Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district, this UNESCO World Heritage Site ...
are the most famous Jain centers in
South Karnataka
South Karnataka generally refers to the southern part of Karnataka state, excluding the coastal areas. It generally corresponds to former Mysore state. It is generally referred as Hale Mysuru Region in Kannada which translates to Old Mysore Re ...
. The temples are great example on
dravidian architecture
Dravidian architecture, or the Southern Indian temple style, is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that emerged from Southern India, reaching its final form by the sixteenth century.
In contrast with North Indian temple styl ...
.
; Parshvanatha Basadi
''Parshvanatha Basadi'' is notable for its architecture. This temple is famous for the beautiful navaranga halls and exquisite carvings on the lathe-turned pillars. These pillars are massive placed to each other, which according to ''Kurt Bruhn'' signifies "the many layers karma that way us down with their black colour representing timelessness like it is for
tirthankars
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (; ) is a saviour and supreme preacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', a fordable passage across ''saṃsāra'', the sea of interminable birth ...
". The ceiling of the mandapa and mahamandapa is ornate with the sculpture of
yaksha
The Yakshas (, , ) in Mythology are a broad class of nature spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Bud ...
Dharanendra at the centre. Indologist ''Klaus Fisher'' describes the intricate artwork that embellishes the temple's ceiling as the most elaborate in all of Halebidu.
The temple has a ''Ardhamandapa'' ("half hall") and a Mahamandapa ("great hall") with a monolithic idol of
Parshvanatha in
Kayotsarga
Kayotsarga ( , ) is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally means "dismissing the body". A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture or standing in the kayotsarga posture. ''Kayotsarga' ...
posture. Sculptures of
yaksha
The Yakshas (, , ) in Mythology are a broad class of nature spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Bud ...
Dharanendra and
yakshi
Yakshinis or Yakshis (, , Prakrit: ) are a class of female nature spirits in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious mythologies that are different from Devas and Asuras and Gandharvas or Apsaras. Yakshinis and their male counterparts, the Yaks ...
Padmavati are present in the ''mahamandapa''. This temple is the largest and considered the most architecturally significant in the basadi complex. Along with being rich in sculptures, the temple also features carvings of the life-scenes of Tirthankaras on the ceiling panel of ''mukhamandapa''. There is a famous image of Padmavati with three hooded cobra over her head and with fruits in three hands and a weapon in fourth. The temple also features niches for idols of the 24
tirthankaras
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (; ) is a saviour and supreme preacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', a fordable passage across '' saṃsāra'', the sea of interminable birt ...
.
; Shantinatha Basadi
''Shantinatha Basadi'' or ''Santisvara basadi'' consist of a
garbhagriha
A ''garbhagriha'' () is the innermost sanctuary of Hindu and Jain temples, often referred to as the "holy of holies" or " sanctum sanctorum".
The term ''garbhagriha'' (literally, "womb chamber") comes from the Sanskrit words ''garbha'' for ...
("sanctum"), ''
ardhamandapa
In Hindu temple architecture, Ardhamandapa (lit. half-open hall), also spelled ''artha mandapam'' or ''ardh mandapam'', is an important element of the entrance group. It is an entrance porch forming a transitional area between the outside and a ma ...
'', ''
mahamandapa'', large granite pillars with the inner sanctum consisting of a block stone image of
Shantinatha
Śāntinātha () or Śānti is the sixteenth of Jainism in the present age (). According to traditional accounts, he was born to King Vishvasena and Queen Aćira of the Ikshvaku dynasty in the north Indian city of Hastinapur. His birth date i ...
, the sixteenth tirthankar. The
merlon
A merlon is the solid, upright section of a battlement (a crenellated parapet) in medieval architecture or fortifications. Merlons are sometimes pierced by narrow, vertical embrasures, or tooth-like slits designed for observation and fire. The sp ...
ed structure is supported by a square pillared porch with granite pillars. The
adhisthana moldings are similar to Parsvanatha Basti. A series of lathe-turned pillars supports the ceiling.
The previous
Mahamastakabhisheka
The ''Māhāmastakābhiṣeka'' ("Grand Consecration") refers to the ''abhiṣeka'' (anointment) of the Jain idols when held on a large scale. The most famous of such consecrations is the anointment of the Bahubali Gommateshwara statue loc ...
was organized in January 2010. The temple complex also includes a Brahmadeva pillar erected outside the temple.
; Adinatha Basadi
''Adinatha Basadi'' is a small non-ornate temple consisting of garbhagriha, ''
mandapa
A ''mandapa'' or ''mantapa'' () is a pillared hall or pavilion for public rituals in Indian architecture, especially featured in Hindu temple architecture and Jain temple architecture.
''Mandapas'' are described as "open" or "closed" dependin ...
'' ("hall") with the image of the
Adinatha
Rishabhanatha (Devanagari: ऋषभनाथ), also Rishabhadeva (Devanagari: ऋषभदेव, ), Rishabha (Devanagari: ऋषभ, ) or Ikshvaku (Devanagari: इक्ष्वाकु, ''Ikṣvāku''), is the first (Supreme preacher) ...
and beautifully carved the Hindu goddess
Saraswati
Saraswati (, ), also spelled as Sarasvati, is one of the principal Devi, goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of knowledge, education, learning, arts, speech, poetry, music, purification, language and culture. Together with the godde ...
. The original idol of Adinatha was a stout figure in
lotus position
Lotus position or Padmasana () is a cross-legged sitting meditation posture, meditation pose from History of India, ancient India, in which each foot is placed on the opposite thigh. It is an ancient asana in yoga, predating hatha yoga, and ...
; However, kept in navaranga hall after it broke. There is a statue of Jina equal in the height to the other two basadi. The sanctum is bereft of superstructure.
The basadi complex also includes a monolithic 18 feet tall
manasthamba
In Jainism, a ''manastambha'' () is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples or large Jain statues. In North India, they are topped by four Tirthankara images.
According to the ''Digambara'' Jain texts like '' Adi Purana'' ...
and Hulikere Kalyani (reservoir).
Excavation

In 2019, the remains of Jain temple were found near ''Parshvanatha Basadi''. In the excavated structure around ten sculptures were found, these sculptures have been moved to Halebid museum. ASI started constructing a compound wall around the Jain complex but during construction few Jain sculptures were found along with the basement structure of another Jain temple. The sculptures were moved to the museum. However, the temple structure was damaged due to the use of heavy earthmoving machinery. The remains of a Jain temple built in the time of Hoysala dynasty was discovered near the Shantinatha Basadi during an excavation in 2021. Many artefacts and sculptures were discovered in the temple site. A Jain
Upasaka sculpture was also discovered along with the temple remains.
According to A. Aravazhi, assistant archeologist in
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander ...
, Halebidu has many Jain temples built during the reign of Hoysala empire underground.
Restoration
These Jain basadi complex is protected by
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander ...
. A compound wall is being built around the temple structure found 2019, more than 1,000 sculptures have been found in this area, ASI is planning to build an open-air museum for display. These idols include an idol of Goddess
Ambika represented as
salabhanjika
A salabhanjika or shalabhanjika is a term found in Indian art and literature with a variety of meanings. In Buddhist art, it means an image of a woman or yakshi next to, often holding, a tree, or a reference to Maya (mother of the Buddha), Maya ...
with her child in one hand and ''amra-lumbi'' (mango tree branch) in other.
Department of tourism has issued Rs. 30 crores to facelift
Belur and
Halebidu
Halebidu (IAST: Haḷēbīḍ, literally "old capital, city, encampment" or "ruined city") is a town located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Historically known as Dwārasamudra (also Dorasamudra), Halebidu became the regal capital of the ...
for improving religious tourism. The Jain temples other than Parshvanatha Basadi, Shantinatha Basadi and Adinatha Basadi in Haledbidu are in a lesser state of preservation.
Halebidu is also on the route followed by luxury tourist train -
Golden Chariot.
Gallery
File:Eighteen feet tall sculpture of Parshvanatha in the Parshvanatha basadi at Halebidu.JPG, sculpture of Parshvanatha, Parshvanatha basadi
File:Shantinatha basadi (1196 AD) at Halebidu.JPG, Shantinatha basadi
File:Eighteen feet tall sculpture of Shantinatha in the Shantinatha basadi at Halebidu.JPG, sculpture of Shantinatha
Śāntinātha () or Śānti is the sixteenth of Jainism in the present age (). According to traditional accounts, he was born to King Vishvasena and Queen Aćira of the Ikshvaku dynasty in the north Indian city of Hastinapur. His birth date i ...
, Shantinatha basadi
File:Adinatha basadi (12th century) at Halebiu.JPG, Adinatha basadi
File:Vijaya Parshvanatha Basadi Halebidu - Manastambha relief.jpg, Relief on manastambha
In Jainism, a ''manastambha'' () is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples or large Jain statues. In North India, they are topped by four Tirthankara images.
According to the ''Digambara'' Jain texts like '' Adi Purana'' ...
outside Parshvanatha Basadi
See also
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Hoysala architecture
Hoysala architecture is the building style in Hindu temple architecture developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka, a States and territories of India, state of Indi ...
*
Hoysaleswara Temple
Hoysaleshwara temple, also referred simply as the Halebidu temple, is a 12th-century Hinduism, Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It is the largest monument in Halebidu, a town in the state of Karnataka, India and the former capital of th ...
*
Jainism in Karnataka
Karnataka, a state in South India has a long association with Jainism, a religion which enjoyed patronage of major historic kingdoms in the state such as the Rastrakuta Dynasty, Western Ganga, Kadamba and Chalukya dynasties and the Hoysala E ...
*
List of World Heritage Sites in India
The UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural heritage, cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries whi ...
*
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola (pronunciation: ) is a town located near Channarayapatna of Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is from Bengaluru. The Gommateshwara Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas ...
References
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Government of Karnataka
The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as GoK or GoKA, formerly known as Government of Mysore (1956–1974), is a democratically elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka ...
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Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander ...
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Enternal links
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala
{{Jainism Topics
Jain temples in Karnataka
12th-century Jain temples
Tourist attractions in Hassan district
Buildings and structures in Hassan district
Religious buildings and structures destroyed in the Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent