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JINANATHAPURA - It is situated
about a mile to the north of Shravanabelagola. This village was founded
by Ganga Raja, the general of the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, in about
A.D. 1117.
Shanthinatha Basadi - The
main temple of the place is the Shanthinatha basadi. It was built by
Vasudaika Bandhava Rechimayya who made it over to Sagaranandi Siddhanta
Deva in the year A.D. 1200. He was the first minister of the Kalachurya
king. But latter on he was placed under the protection of Hoysala King
Ballala II. This temple is a fine specimen of the Hoysala style of
architecture. It consists of a cell, a vestibule and a hall built over a
star shaped adishtana. The well
carved image of Shanthinatha, the 16th Tirthankara, is seated on a lion
pedestal. It is about 5' 6" high. The garbhagriha is guarded by two
dwarapalakas. The navaranga has elegantly executed pillars adorned with
beaded work. The ceilings are also of good workmanship of art. The
niches of the navaranga are now empty. The outer walls have a row of
large images, some in an unfinished state, consisting of Parshwanatha,
Suparshwanatha and other Jinas, Yakshas (Dharanendra and Sarvahna),
Yakshis (Padmavathi, Chakreshwari, Ambika, Vajrashrunkala and
Ananthamathi), Brahma, Saraswathi, Manmatha, Mohini, drummers, musicians,
dancers, etc. This temple was renovated by Paleda-Padumanna in A.D.
1632.
Aregal Basadi - It is so
called as the structure is built on a Are (a rock). It is built
mainly from brick and mortar by Hiri Aechimayya (Aechana) the son of
Barma. Barma was the brother of Gangaraja. He also built a temple at
Koppal (or Kopanachala in Northern Karnataka) and the Shanthinatha
temple on Chandragiri at Shravanabelagola. The original image of
Parshwanatha of this temple suffered mutilation and was found lying in
the bed of the tank near by. In its place a seated marble image of
Parshwanatha was installed in 1889 A.D. for the spiritual welfare of
Bhujabalaiah a resident of Belagola. Also seen in the temple are the
idols of Navadevata, Panchaparameshti, Nandishwara and Chaturvimshati. An inscription of the memorial
stone erected by the wife and mother of Aechanna in his memory is found
near the entrance.
Samadhi Mantapa - The village
has also an inscribed Jaina tomb measuring 5' X 4' generally known as the Samadhi mantapa.
But it is designated in the inscription as Silakuta or stone house. It
was erected to commemorate the death of the son of Balachandradeva in 1213 A.D.,
due to severe fever. He was also a disciple of the royal guru
Nemichandra Pandita. Also seen are the memory stones of Charukeerthi
Panditacharya (A.D. 1643) of Belagola and also Devakeerthi Pandita (A.D.
1163) the Jain ascetic.
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