Gerusoppa Chaturmukha Jain Basadi, Karnataka

Address

Gerusoppa Chaturmukha Jain Basadi, Gerusoppa, Nagarbastikere, Karnataka 581384

Diety

Tirthankara

Introduction

Chaturmukha basadi is Jain temple situated in Gerusoppa, Honnavar Taluk, Uttara Kannada district. Chaturmukha Basadi, the 14th century Jain basti is one of Karnataka’s architectural wonders, hidden in the midst of the Western Ghats in the Uttar Kannada District. The Chaturmukha Basti, built completely out of granite, contains statues of four Jain ` Tirthankara’. The statues are polished, but losing their colour.

Puranic Significance

The temple complex, said to have been built by Chennabairadevi, seems incomplete. The reign of Chennabairadevi, the Pepper Queen, is referred to as the golden age of the Salva Dynasty marked by the export of high quality pepper grown in nearby areas. Apart from Chaturmukha basti, there are other buildings, statues, stone-edicts in the adjoining areas that are now dilapidated. Lack of concern for these heritage buildings has turned a place of architectural importance into a place of neglect. Gerusoppa is a popular Jain Heritage Centre that flourished as a chief Jain centre during ¬ the period from 13th-16th century. It was also called by the names Kshemapura/Kshemapura Tirtha/Kshemavenapura/Ballatakipura in the history. It was the capital of the Saluva Kings for a considerable period.