Moodabidri Guru Basadi Jain Temple - Karnataka

Address

Moodabidri Guru Basadi Jain Temple – Moodabidri town, Karnataka 574227

Diety

Parshwanatha

Introduction

Guru Basadi is a basadi or Jain temple located in Moodabidri town in the state of Karnataka. The Guru basadi is the oldest amongst 18 Jain basadis in Moodabidri built in 714 CE. This temple is near to the famous Jain temple, Saavira Kambada Basadi.

Puranic Significance

Guru Basadi is the earliest of the Jain monuments built in c. 714 CE. A black stone idol of Parshwanatha, about 3.5 meters (11 ft) tall, is installed in the sanctum of this basadi. According to Jain legend, a Jain monk from the 8th century was noticed a cow and a tiger drinking water from the same spot, tiger feeding the calf and cow feeding the tiger cubs while roaming a thick forest. Observing this miracle, the monk got the place excavated and idol of Parshvanatha was found in the area and a temple was consecrated here. An inscription dated back to 1307 CE inside Tirthankar Basadi mentions Guru Basadi receiving grants. The manastambha inside the temple was erected in 1615 CE. The temple also houses the rare Jain palm leaf manuscripts of 12th century CE known as ‘Dhavala texts’ are preserved. These texts were brought from shravanabelagola to here during Mughal invasion. This basadi is also called Siddantha Basadi and Hale Basadi.

Special Features

The Guru Basadi is almost as large as the famous Saavira Kambada Basadi located near the Guru Basadi. The temple is a rectangular structure with three mandapa leading to garbhagriha that houses a 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) idol of Parshvanatha as the moolnayak of the temple. The outer hall is supported by beautifully carved pillars. The temple entrance has finely carved columns that supports a sloped roof. The temple houses a manasthambha in front of the temple entrance. This temple houses miniature idols of many Jain Tirthankars. Siddhanta Basadi inside Guru Basadi enshrines idol of Tirthankars made of gold, emerald and other precious stones. The temple also houses an idol dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The temple complex also includes small temples dedicated to Saraswati and Padmavati.