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TEMPLES ON INDRAGIRI
HERITAGE OF
SHRAVANABELAGOLA > TEMPLES ON
INDRAGIRI
Indragiri
is also called Vindhyagiri and popularly as Doddabetta in Kannada.
However the antiquity of the eponyms Indragiri and Vindhyagiri are not
found in any of the inscriptions and other records related to the place.
It is of about 470 feet high and 3347 feet above sea level. There are
about 600 steps to reach the summit of the hill. It has a radius of about
400 meters. The temples on it include the enclosure with Lord Gomateshwara and
images in the cloisters around Lord Gommateshwara. Out side the
enclosure are the jinalayas such as Brahmadeva Mandira, Chaturvimshati
Tirthankara Basadi, Odegal Basadi, Chennanna Basadi, Siddhara basadi,
and also included are the Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar, Siddara gundu,
the statues of Bharata and Bahubali and Akandabagilu,. The mantapas
include Chaaga, Chennanna, Gullakayi and Wodeyar. The pillars include,
Tyaga Kamba, Manasthambha of Chennanna temple and Yakshastambha of
Gullakayajji and also two arcades. There are totally about 170
inscriptions dating from 10th to 19th century in Sanskrit, Kannada,
Tamil, Marathi and also Marwadimahajani. The ancient shrines are found
in the below mentioned order as one goes up the hill.
Brahmadeva Mantapa - It is a simple
modern piece of architecture belonging to 17th century situated at the
foot of the hill. The idol is also called Brahma or Jaraguppe Appa made
of stone daubed with red ochre. The idol of Lord Parshwanatha in the
temple was installed by Rangaiah the elder brother of Girigowda of
Hirisave in A.D. 1679.
Vidyananda Cave - One can see the
Vidyananda cave built in the later part of 20th century (1980's) where
in Acharya Sri Vidyanandaji was observing dhyana during his stay at
Shravanabelagola on the occasion of Mahamasthakabhisheka in 1981.
A firm fortress is seen across the top of
the hill protecting the ancient monuments inside the open court
containing.
Chouvisa Tirthankara Basadi - This
was built in 17th century by Mulla Nayaka, the disciple of charukeerthi
Deva. It is a structure of bricks and mortar. The Garbagriha contains
the images of 24 Tirthankaras carved on a single stone with three
Tirthankaras in the standing posture. The image measure 2' 6". This
idol was installed by Charukeerthi Pandita, Dharmachandra and others in
A.D. 1648.
Odegalla Basadi - It is so called
as the temple is resting on the support of leant stone structures
strengthening the walls. It
was built in 14th century and its patron is unknown and neither any
details are found in any of the inscriptions of the place. It is the
loftiest Hoysala temple found on the hill. It is a Trikutachala (3 sanctum
sanctorums) built in granite stone. It is very attractive due to its
excellent architectural design and staircase. The outer walls are simple
in appearance, where all the pillars in the Navaranga are cylindrical in
shape. Ther central ceiling has a lots pendant. The images in the sanctum sanctorum are carved out of soap stone
and these include the fine statue of Lord Adinatha (Purudeva, the father
of Gommata) of 3' height in the main cell with a well carved prabhavali
flanked by male chamaradharis. The statue seen on the right cell is one
of Shanthinatha (4' 6") and on the left cell of Neminatha (4' 6"). The temple
is described as Trikuta basadi in a classical work of 18th century.
The rock situated on the western side of the temple (A.D. 1645-1851)
reveal the names of pilgrims coming from North India.
Chennanna Basadi - The structure of
Chennanna Basadi is a peculiar one, of it is seen sites abutting over a
large boulder and further a open Mantapam. The sanctum Sanctorum has a small gopuram.
According to an inscription found, this temple was built in the name of Adinatha. However
Bhagawan Chandranatha idol is found in the sanctum sanctorum.
It was constructed by Chennanna in A.D. 1673. The male and female
figures with folded and facing each other seen on two pillars outside
the temple are said to be those of Chennanna and his wife. It has a manasthambha in the front.
Toranas (Arches) - It was probably
constructed in 14th century and mentioned by Anantha Kavi. The first
carved arch shows the dancing and six armed Dharanendra Yaksha.
Gajalakshmi image found on the pillar was designed probably in 18th
century, though the sculptor and the time are not definitely known.
Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar -
Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar installed in
A.D. 983 on Indragiri goes after the name of Chavundaraya. This is
situated on the western side of Odegalla Basadi. The pillar measures about
eleven feet, the elegantly carved portion encompasses six feet and is designed
with artistic flowers and tendrils. There is
engraving of Sri Chavundaraya with Chamaradharis and his guru
Nemichandracharya in the lower portion of the pillar. The northern side
of the pillar contains the inscription narrating the valour of
Chavundaraya. Heggade Kanna (A.D. 1200) erased the original inscription
and inscribed the new one and also installed the idol of Yaksha. A brick
and mortar structure on the pillar was built after 500 years. The name
Tyagada Kamba is derived due to the fact that gifts were
distributed by Chavundaraya at this place.
Akhanda Dwara - The large and wide
steps from Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar leads to Akhanda Dwara (the great
doorway). There are two small shrines on either side of it carved out of
a single rock. The lintel portion of it possesses a very well designed
and beautiful figure of Gajalakshmi sitting on a lotus flower. The elephants
standing on either side are
seen bathing the Goddess. It is a good piece of Ganga
architecture. This sculpture of Gajalakshmi is found to be one of the
largest and unique of its kind in India. This ornamental arch was probably built in 10th
century. Bharatamayya the commander of Hoysala Vishnuvardhana added the
two shrines found on either side in A.D. 1130 and these contain the
images of Bharata and Bahubali. The mantapas found in front of these
shrines were probably built in A.D. 14th century.
Siddara Gundu- This is a open big
boulder found on the eastern portion. This is a Nishadhi (memorial) stone and
contains delicate sculptures of numerous Shramanas with some
inscriptions. It is worth to note that
these images represent sons of Purudeva according to an inscription of
18th century.
Kanchigubbi Bagilu - Akhanda Bagilu
leads to it and is the third doorway followed by Gullkayaji's doorway.
This doorway leads to the out corridor of the enclosure of Lord Bahubali.
One can witness the carvings of Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha and Anjaneya
on the out wall of the corridor.
Siddara Basadi - It was built in 14th
century and its outside enclosure between 7th to 18th century. In
addition to the image of Siddha measuring 3 feet in the sanctum sanctorum there are two beautiful
memorial pillars in the Navaranga on either side with elegant
workmanship. These two epitaphs were built in A.D.
1398 and 1492 respectively in memory of Muni Panditaradhya and Shruta
Muni. The text found on the second memorial pillar was composed by
Mangaraja.
Gullakayajji Mantap - There lies
the popular legendry statue of Gullakayi Ajji (Grand Mother Gullakayi)
in the mantapam with five pillars and an inscription. Atop the mantapam
there is an idol of Sarvahna Yaksha. This had a gradual development in
construction from time to time and attained the present shape. The large
pillar situated at the centre of the Mantapam was carved in a rock
situated in situ in the 12th century. This pillar measures about 22 feet
and the greater portion of it lies below the ground level to the extent
about 13 feet. Hence it is called Patala Yaksha Kamba this was
constructed by minister Baladeva in 12th century and called it
manasthambha. The pillar bearing the inscription found in the mantapam
was erected by commander-in-chief Erugappa in A.D. 1422. It gives the
information of his donation to lord Gommata. Till 18th century it was an
open mantap. The statue of Gullakyiajji measuring about five feet was
erected probably in the 19th century. The design of the statue with
regard to its costume and ornaments and other characteristics of the
sculpture signify that it did not belong to Ganga and Hoysala period. It
is said that the concocted story around Gulla Kayi Ajji has resulted in
its erection in the mantapam. The people believe that Gullakayi Ajji was
an incarnation of Goddess Padmavathi who taught a lesson to Chavundaraya
to shrink his ego of having installed the statue of Lord Gommata since
the 10th century. It is also said that the small container called
Gullakayi held in her hand is said to signify the name of a village of
the town 'Bili-Kola'. The story behind this implies that the devotion to
the Lord should be devoid of ego.
Wodeyara Mantapa - This has a donor
inscription mentioning the way in A.D. 1638 as to how King Chamaraja
Wodeyar got relieved the pledged property of Belagola temple. Another
portion of the inscription mentions the donations made by
Doddakrishnaraja Wodeyar.
The wall of the enclosure around Lord
Bahubali is a solid structure stone erected in 1117 A.D. by the Ganga
Raja the Hoysala minister. It has rendered a protective fort for the
image. Lord Gommateshwara is a collasal monolithic statue with a serene
outlook measuring 58" 8'. It bears a divine appearance carved out of
stone found in situ. The name of the sculptor is unknown though
Arishtanemi was believed to be its sculptor. Many scholars, research
workers, poets and devotees have praised the Lord in divine terms.
Suttalaya - The suttalaya around
Lord Gomata was built in the begining of 12th century. It started as a
pathway around Bahubali and later on assumed the shape of Jinalaya.
Gangaraja, the General of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana built the suttalaya. Later on Basavishetty and his children construed or
strengthened the windows. It appears that it was built in two stages and
contains 49 images. Basavishetty designed 24 images where as the
remaining ones were installed by Ketishetty, Ankishetty, Bidiyamashetty,
Nemishetty, Kamatada Ramashetty, Balleya Dandanayaka, Banudeva
Heggade and others. The images found here constitute the excellent examples
of sculpture for the devotees and students alike. It is surprising to
note that a few of the 49 images are missing here. The Tirthankaras are
identified by their symbols and others by inscriptions installed on the
pedestal and accompanied deities and angels. The statues seen (from
right side of Lord Bahubali) are Yakshi Ambika, Chandraprabha,
Parshwanatha, Tirthankara (?), Adinatha, Padmaprabha, Ajithanatha,
Vasupujya, Shreyamsanatha, Ananthanatha, Vimalanatha, Shambavanatha,
Suparshwanatha, Parshwanatha, Adinatha, Sheetalanatha, Adinatha,
Chandraprabhas, Pushpadantha, Munisuvrata, Sumathinatha, Mahavira,
Aranatha (?), Vimalanatha, Neminatha, Abhinandana, Adinatha, three
Tirthankara images (?), Parshwanatha, Kunthunatha, Ajithanatha,
Parshwanatha, Sumathinatha, Mahavira, Mallinatha, Shambavanatha, Yakshi
(?), Bahubali and Chandranatha. The marble idols seen belong to early
part of 16th century and was contributed by Marwars. The Bhuvaneshwari
seen in the mukha mantapa has the sculptures of ............. .
---------------
Bibliography:
1. The Sacred Shravanabelagola (A
Socio-Religious) Study: Vilas A.Sangave (1981, Published by: Bharatiya
Jnanpith).
Kalyananda Haadi: Ed.Dr.Siddalinga
Pattanashetty (1999)
2. Shravanabelagola Ondhu Samikshe: Ed.
Dr.G.S.Shivarudrappa (Bangalore University Publication, 1983)
2. Shravanabelagola Srigalavara
Bashana Sangraha: Ed. A.Shantharaja Shastry (1932)
4. Gommateshvara Commemoration Volume:
Ed. Dr.T.G.Kalghatgi (Published by: S.D.J.M.I. Managing Committee Shravanabelagola,
1981)
5. Dhavala Teertha - 1995: Ed.Sri
Jeevandharkumar Hotapeti (Published by: S.D.J.M.I. Managing Committee Shravanabelagola,
1981)
5. Dhavala Teertha - 1996: Ed.Sri
Jeevandharkumar Hotapeti (Published by: S.D.J.M.I. Managing Committee Shravanabelagola,
1981)
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