Basadi Halli Jinalaya's,Halebeedu

Halebidu Heritage trip Part -(2)

A just few steps away from the Kedaresvara temple is Basadi compound south of Basadihalli, located close to the Hoysaleswara Temple where there are of Adinatheswvara, Shantishvara and Parshvanatheshvara Jain Basadis with agleam black stone pillars is considered as a part of the group of the Jain cloisters is considered as the most important Jain temple. Hardly a stone’s throw away but cut off from the tourist circuit is the nonchalant hamlet of Basadihalli with three Jinalayas dating to the period of King Vishnuvardhan who was earlier a Jain called Bittideva.

Halebid is said to have originally contained no less that 720 Jain Bastis but now there are only three of them remains. This Jain temples at Halebid of which are believed to have been built during the reign of Hoysala period, was built around ShantalaDevi reign. Though Vishnuvardana converted to Hinduism at the instance of Sri Ramanujacharya he & his queen patronised Jain faith too, his wife Shantala remained a Jain and built Jaina temples.

The Parsvanathesvara Basti is the Largest of these Bastis containing an image of Parshvanatheshvara which is a piece of beautiful workmanship. Among these three shrines, Parswanathaswamy Temple is the most noteworthy the twelve pillars that hold the doom appear thoroughly polished and have been shaped attractively. These pillars have been made in a very fine and very attractive manner. All the pillars consist of some beautiful images. The lathing of these pillars has been done very well and all the images are very different from each another. The shine on these mirrors allows the visitors to see their faces very clearly.

 

This Basadi looks simple at the outside, but possesses very rich decorations inside. The sculpture of the underside sealing, called Bhuvaneshwari, is very attractive. The round pillars of nice resplendent black stone found in the Navaranga portion reflect the spectators images!.There is a special place for such exquisite pillars in Hoysala architecture. Lord Parshvanatheshvara figure fourteen feet in height & with curly hairs is made out of black granite stone. On the figurine, a seven-headed serpent has been imprinted appears to be protecting the Lord. Another tall pillar with a sculpture of Brahma stood outside one of them while the ancient well here was almost dry

The central temple is of Lord Adinatheswvara while Shantishvara is located in the east and both of these temples have their own importance in their religion. Adinatha Basadi was built by Devara Heggade Malli Mayya. It is a little one containing proportionately a little Navaranga and a little sanctuary. A Saraswatee idol exists in the Deva Koshtha of the Navaranga. Since the original idol of the sanctuary is broken, it has been deposited in the neighboring Saantinatha Basadi.

Saantinatha Basadi is a high and broad Basadi situated on the right of the Adinatha Basadi. One going by the name Madhukanna Vijayanna built this beautiful jinalaya in 1256 AD with the substantial encouragement offered by the association of the businessmen of Dhorasamudra. The outer wall of this Basadi is ofcourse very simple. No embellishments there with decorations and idols. But here too, in the Navaranga portion, there are huge shining round pillars taking their appropriate positions. A monolithic 15ft idol of Santhi natha satnds in sanctuary in the Sthanaka posture. Once in 12 years the Head Bathing Festival (Mahamasthakabhisheka) takes place here. Facilitating the bathing performance brick steps have been built in a convenient way. In front of the Basadi entrance there is a measuring column call Manastambha as lofty as 30ft.

 

The Archaeological Survey of India board gave us some information dedicated to Parshwanatha, Shantinatha and Adinatha, these Jinalayas were built in memory Boppadeva. The big Basadi Facing the entrance of the Compound is called Vijaya Parshwanatha Basadi. This was completed in memory of Ganga Raja. The commander of Vishnuvardhana Raya 1113 AD, by his son Boppadeva. Originally as a memoir of the title of Ganga Raja it had the nomenclature styled as Dhrohagharatta Jinalaya. During the opening ceremony of the Jinalaya, Vishnuvardhanaraya became Victorious in the battle of Bankapura. So this was renamed as Vijaya Parswanatha Jinalaya and was honored with royal donations for its maintenance.

Attached to the walls of the Navaranga there are in all 24 Peethas (seats) indicating the east while existence of the idols of 24 Teerthankaras there. They have all vanished today. In-front of this Basadi there is a Mukha Mantapa (Portico Hall) comprising many pillars, along with a big inscription describing the construction of this Jinalaya.

All these three Basadi's being comprehended with in one compound, have common Pushkarnee on the north -east corner of the compound.These Jain Temples are renowned for their decorated pillars which are highly polished almost resembling mirrors. The construction of Basadi Halli temple is of very high grade and consist of many appreciable carvings that can be seen all over specially at the top of the doors.