Panchakuta Basadi is a Jain temple located in Kambadahalli village of Mandya district in Karnataka. It is 18km from the famous Jain Temple of Sravanabelagola. The name Kambadahalli means a village with pillar. Panchakuta Basadi and Shanthinatha Basadi are the two important temples in this village. This temple complex was built by the kings of Western Ganga dynasty in 900-1000CE. It is believed that there were 72 Jain temples in Kambadahalli village. The monument is protected by the Archeological Survey of India as a National Monument
Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli
Temples at Kambadahalli
Panchakuta Basadi and Shanthinatha Basadi are the two important temples in this village. The historical references indicate that the temples we built in three different timelines.
Panchakuta Basadi
The Basadi consist of Trikootachala, where each of the shrines has its own vestibule and is linked to a common Navaranga, whose celing is supported by four ornate central pillar. The central shrine facing north houses the image of Adhinatha, the first Jain Trithankara (Teaching God). The West and East facing shrines have the image of latter day tirthankaras, Shanthinatha and Neminatha respectively.
The central shrine has a square superstructure called Brahmachhanda girva Shikhara. The west and east facing shrines have superstructures called Rudrachhanda girva-Shikhara and Vishnuchhanda girva shikhara respectively. The superstructures are three dimensional, with the first tier measuring a third of the total height of the tower and the second tier measuring one half of the height of the first. To the north of the group of three shrines are two more shrines which was constructed later.
Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli
Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli
Shanthinatha Basadi
It is located to the right of Panchakuta Basadi. Shantinatha Basadi houses a 12 feet high black coloured stone idol of Lord Shanthinath in Kayotsarga (A yogic meditation posture that signifies renunciation) as the main diety. The garbagriha is preceded by a wide navaranga flanked by Tirthankara idols on either side. We can also find a couple of Yaksha and Yakshi idols around these Tirthankaras. On moving further ahead we can find a centrally placed attractive carving of Lord Neminatha flanked by three pairs of chouri bearers in the ceiling. Many devotees visiting Kambadahalli are seen practicing meditation below the Neminatha statue and have experienced a sense of tranquility.
Kambadahalli and its Name
Kambadahalli got its name due to the presence of the huge Manasthambha, called Brahmadeva pillar or Brahma Yaksha Pillar in the village. Kambha in local Kannada language means pillar. Kambapuri was the previous name of Kambadahalli. The Manastambha is 50ft high and is one among the few highest manastambha in South India. Its base is octagonal in shape and carvings of ashta dikpalakas can be found here. An inscription around the lower portion of the manastambha dates back to 1118 A.D. This inscription mentions that the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana had asked his chief general Gangaraja before acquiring Talakad (an ancient heritage and religious center near Mysore) to request a prize of his choice as an advance to his conquest. On hearing this Gangaraja requests for ‘Bindiganavile’s TirthaBasadi’s maintenance, i.e. he asks for Kambadahalli’. After getting this Gangaraja donated this to Kunda Kundanvaya Shubhachandra Siddantha Deva belonging to Sri Mula Sangha Desigana Puskatagachha after offering a pada pooja as per Jain rituals to His Holiness.
Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli
Best Time To Visit Kambadahalli
The best time to visit Kambadahalli is October and March, when the weather is pleasant enough to explore the beauty of nearby Temples like Sravanabelagola and Melukote.
How to Reach Kambadahalli
Kambadahalli is situated in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district at a distance of 18 kilometers from Shravanabelagola, 135 Kms from Bangalore, 85 Kms from Mysore and 15 Kms from Nagamangala.
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wow , this building are so imponent and beautiful ! I never heard of this village, but you made it sound pretty cool :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, this place looks cool! Great shots :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting place bro.. will save this blog for future reference.
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome, we are planning to travel to India at the end of the year, so definitely putting this on a Bucket list...looks really awesome :)
ReplyDeleteWow I had never heard of Kambadahalli village and the temples here - thank you. I may be travelling to India in July so this would be special to see!
ReplyDeleteKristie - you.theworld.wandering
I'm not much into this travel but love the pictures of the archetecture and makes me want to visit.
ReplyDeleteYou brought this great historic site alive with your post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou've actually taught me about a place I hadn't heard of! Thank you, will definitely visit soon :)
ReplyDelete