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Hampi (Karnataka)
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The
history of Jainism in South India is accepted on all
hands that from the beginning of Christian era down to the
Hoysala in the twelfth century, Jainism was the most powerful
religion in the South. The spread of Janism in the Tamil
country was due to the patronage kings in South India as
Pallava kings of Kanchi, Pandya, Westren Chalukya, ganga,
Rashtrakula, Kalachurya and Hoysala kings were staunch Jains.
The golden age of Jainism in Karnataka was under the Ganga,
who made Janism their state religion. The Vijayanagara
kings (1357 - 1378 A.D.) were always noted their highly
tolerent attitude towards religion and were patrons of Janism
too. Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi was once the seat of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. The monuments of Vijayanagara city, also known as
Vidyanagara in honour of the sage Vidyaranya were built between AD 1336-1570, from the times of
Harihara-I to Sadasiva Raya. A large number of royal buildings were raised by Krishnadeva Raya (AD
1509-30). |
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The
jaina formed a large and flourishing coomunity in the bellary
district of Karnataka is evident from the large number of
their temples scattered all over the district. The objects of jaina art and architecture including jain temples are scattered in the area of 26 kms lying between the three hills and River
tungbhadra at Hampi. The Ganigitti Jaina temple on the
Kampli road, two dilapitdated examples to the east of the
Elephant Stables, two more just north of the northern gopuram
of Pampi temple and another about a kilometer north-east of
Hampi, standing on the hill side, amongst others are some of
the Jaina temples of Hampi. |
A group of Jaina
temple,
Hemakutam, Hampi |
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Hampi
in Karnataka state is one of the important pilgrimage center for both Hindus and
Jains. Hampi is 13 kms from Hospet and 158 kms from Hubli. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and
vegetation. The visiting places are:
Hemkut jain temples: Hemkut jain temples are on the south sideof the virupaksh temple on the hill. These are of 6-7 CAD but there are no idols and these are not under worship.
Ratnatraykut (srimad Rajchandra ashram): The idol of bhagwan chandraprabhu is very impressive.
Parsvanath charan: The charan impression in the opposite direction indicates the omniscience of the
tirthankar. Some people consider it as vishnupad. |
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Ganigatti jain temple:
it is near the office at the miles stone indicating kmapili 21 kms. The manstambh of this temple indicates the date of construction in 1386 AD by one Irug, the deciple of acharaya
Sinhnandi. the tirthanakar images are on the entrance but now there is no idol in the
garbhgriha.
Hampi meuseum: The hampi meuseum have numerous Jain images. the idols of-
Tirthanakaras in Padmasan and Kayotsarg posture and charan impressions are very ancient.
The Vitthala temple in Hampi is an excellent example of Vijayanagara style. The monolithic statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha are noted for their massiveness and grace. The Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara
Ramachandra and Chandrasekhara temple as also the Jain temples, are other examples.
A massive stone basement of the Queen's palace and ornate pavilion called 'Lotus-Mahal' are only remnants of a luxurious
Antahpura. The corner towers of Dhananayaka's enclosure (treasury),
the Mahanavami Dibba carrying beautifully sculptured panels, a variety of ponds and tanks,
Mandapas, the elephant's stables and the row of pillared Mandapas are some of the important architectural remains of Hampi |
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