South Karnataka Jain Tirth Kshetra

Hi All Jain Friends,

Here you will find the information about the South Karnataka's Jain Tirth Kshetras. Normally we all know the only one Tirth Kshetra nearby to Bangalore, Shravanbelagola (Bhagwan Bahubali Statue – 57 ft). Here I will disclose about four more temples having same statue of Bhagwan Bahubali as Shravanbelagola. Please find below

1. Shravanbelagola

2. Dharmasthala

3. Karkala

4. Vennur

5. Gomatgiri

Most of devotees come from the different - different places to take a sight of Bhagwan Bahubali @ Shravanbelgola. For those all devotees, I collect this information. Please raise your hand if information is helpful to you.

List of all Temples:

1. Shri Shravanbelgola Tirth – Shravanbelagola is a town, located in Hassan district of Karnataka and 150 km from capital of Karnataka, Bangalore and 130 Kms from Mysore. The prime statue of Bhagwan Gomteshwara or Bahubali is one of the highest statue made in a single rock and one of the most important Jain pilgrimage destinations. There are two hills as big and small hill.

Small hill is called as Chandragiri, there total 15 temples are located along with Shri Bharat temple and big hill is called as Vindhyagiri, along with a main idol of Bhagwan Bahubali. Lots of temples are there in main area also as Jain Math etc.

To reach to Shravanbelgola is very easy. From Bangalore you can get private taxis and government buses direct to Shravanbelgola. If you miss the direct bus then take Hassan going bus and get down to Channaraypatan town and take bus or auto rickshaw to Shravanbelagola, only 11 Kms far from here. Hassan bus starts from Majestic Bus Stand.

Once you reach here, you will find a fabulous climate and scenery on exploring the surroundings. To stay lots of dharmashalas and lodges are available. Jain Bhojanshala and private food centers are also available for all kind of foods like Rajasthani, South India and North Indian etc.

2. Shri Dharmasthala Tirth – Dharmasthala is a temple village on the banks of the Nethravathi River in the Belthangadi taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. It is 75 Kms far from Mangalore.1000 year old idol of Bhagwan Bahubali and centre for all religions. Nice Staying facilities and foods facilities are available here.

3. Shri Karkala Tirth – Karkala is located about a kilometer away from the centre of Karkala, a small town. It is located in the picturesque Shiradi Ghats, about 55 km towards the Northeast of Mangalore and about 370 km from Bangalore. It is essentially a temple town and has a famous Vishnu temple, but it is known more for its monolithic statue of Bahubali called the Karkala Gomateshwara.

Karkala Gomateshwara is located atop a hill, called the Bahubali hill. It is a towering monolithic granite structure and one among the five main Gomateshwaras in the state. It rises 42 feet and is the second tallest in the state after the Gomateshwara in Shravanbelgola.

It was established in 1432 AD by King Veera Pandya following instructions from Guru Lalitakeerti who headed the Karakala Jain Mutt. From the base of the hill, a slightly curving set of steps, quite steep in places, leads visitors to the top. On the way is the Parshwanatha Padmavati Basadi, a Jain shrine. The statue is enclosed by a square compound in front of which is a tall carved pillar called the manasthamba, and flanked by shrines dedicated to Parshwa Nath and Sheetal Nath.

There is also a large mantapa for conducting yajnas and other rituals. The hill where the Karkala Gomateshwara is located also provides panoramic views of the surrounding areas including the famous Ramasamudra Lake.

Apart from Karkala Gomateshwara the other Jain monuments worthy of a visit in Karkala are the Chaturmukha Basadi, which is so called because it has four entrances, and is believed to have been built in the mid 16th century by King Bhairasa the Second. It has beautiful high ceilings and has shrines dedicated to three Jain Tirthankaras Sri Arhant, Malli and Suvrate apart from smaller images of 24 Tirthankaras.

Other must see places include the Neminatha Basadi in Hiriangadi, Attur and Moodabidri.

4. Shri Moodabidri Tirth – Moodabidri is a small town, 31 Kms away from Mangalore and come into Dakshin Kannada district of Karnataka. Moodabidri is on NH13. It is accessible from Mangalore by bus. From Mangalore Airport is 40 Kms.

Moodabidri is also famous for Savirakambada Basadi (Thousand Pillar Temple) built in 1462 AD-Basadi of 1000 pillars, famous for its stone sculpture.

Mahadwar, Bhairadevi, Chitradevi, Namaskaara, Teerthankara and Garbhagruha are the 8 Mantapas here. The idol (8’high) of Chandranatha is established in the garbha gruha.

Supaarshwa and Chandraprabha Theerthankara idols are worth visiting. Navanaari kuinjara, a sculptural art piece that appears like an Elephant but nine dancers, is seen in the figure, is the famous art in this Basadi.

5. Shri Vennur Tirth – Vennur is a small town located 69 Kms form Mangalore and 30 Kms from Dharmasthala is famous for the 35 feet high Bhagwan Bahubali statue installed in 1605.

It is 20 Kms away from Moodabidri. Vennur or Venoor is a small village on the banks of the Phalguni River in the Dakshin Kannada District of Karnataka. It was once the main center of Jainism. Dharmashala and Bhojanalaya facilities are available here.

6. Shri Varang Tirth – Varang is 16 Kms away from Karkala Tirth and 70 Kms from Mangalore on the way of Shimoga to Mangalore.

Not much facility is available here. A very sacred idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath is located here. Surroundings are lush green and peaceful climate.

7. Shri Gomatgiri Tirth - Yelwal is a satellite town of Mysore. The Jain pilgrim center, Gomatgiri is only 12 km from Yelwal. This town has all basic amenities like hospitals, schools, shops and temples.

It is only a 15 minute drive from Mysore on Mysore - Madikeri Highway which leads to this town. Mysore Junction Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Bhagwan Bahubali Idol Is located here.

8. Shri Halebid Temple - The three Jain temples at Basadi Halli, situated near the Hoysaleshwara temple, are famous for their highly polished black stone pillars and carved ceilings. It’s Near to Shravanbelgola. Bhagwan Parshwanath Idol is here.

Let me correct if I have raised a wrong information.

Thanks

Vinod Kumar Jain

(vinod.jain10@gmail.com)