Kattale Digambar Jain Basadi, Karnataka

Address

Kattale Digambar Jain Basadi, Shravanbela Gola (Rural), Karnataka 573135

Diety

Tirthankaras

Introduction

The small town Barkur, after crossing Sita River. You can reach the Kattale Group of Temples. Kattale Basadi is a small campus with two Jain Basadis, and Hindu temples now in abandoned status. Kattale Basadi is located in Barkur town, about 5 kms from Brahmavara and 20 kms from Udupi in Karnataka. Kattale refers to “Dark”. The Basadi is called Kattale Basadi because of unique design. The Basadis are totally covered with stone walls and roof on all side, except one tiny entrance, only source of light. The entrance faces south and has some carvings to its side. One can take a look inside the basadi from outside. There are no deities inside at present and no pooja is performed. Kattale basadi complex has 3 temples and some more ruins. One temple is dedicated to Jain Thirthankara while other two were meant for Shiva and Vishnu. Temple structures measure about 30-35 ft in length and 20-22 feet in width.

Puranic Significance

Barkur was an ancient city, and was the ancient capital of the Tulu kingdom. It was known as Barakanur, and was once a major trade and commercial centre around 2nd century CE. Barkur was a capital of the Alupa Kings and also a provincial headquarters during the Vijayanagara period. It was a capital city in those times, which was developed much before Mangalore and Udupi. All that remain now of that historical city are just some ruins scattered all around Barkur. Barkur was capital of Alupa Kings and regional capital of Vijayanagara Empire. Barkur was ruled by Keladi Nayaks, Tipu Sultan and later British. Among several temples here are two temples in a complex built in 12th century at a distance of 30 meters from each other, on plan are almost similar and have a grabhagriha (inner sanctum), Sukhanasi and pillared Mukha Mantapa. The pillars of Mukha Mantapa are moderately ornamented. The exteriors are plain. Kattale basadis of Barkur are said to be built in 12th century AD. The ASI board in the campus is all rusted and hard to read.