Mullur Jain Digambar Temples, Karnataka

Address

Mullur Jain Digambar Temples, Mullur, Smwarpet Taluk, Nidtha, Karnataka 571235

Diety

Parswanatha, Shanthinatha and Chandranatha

Introduction

These three ancient Jain temple is Situated at a distance of about 25 km from Somwarpet on the Shanivarasan the Banavara road on a right deviation, Mullur can only be reached from a narrow road. One of the most ancient Jaina centres of Kodagu, Mulluru is in Somwarpet taluk. This place seems to have been the capital of the Kongalvas, who were the subordinates of the Cholas. There are three basadis of Parswanatha, Shanthinatha and Chandranatha. The Jaina bastis are dedicated to Parsvanatha, Shantinatha and Chandranatha Tirthankaras. Pocchabbe, the queen of King Kongalva II, got the bastis constructed during the 11th century AD. They are built in a row. These ancient temples are now in dilapidated condition. some of the ruins heroic stones are placed outside the temple. There is small pond near to the temple. The Parasvanatha basti has a beautiful image in Hoysala style seated in meditation on a padma-pitha below a serpent prabhavali. The Shantinatha and Chandranatha bastis to the left of the Parasvanatha basti are similar on plan. The images of Shantinatha, Chandranatha, Yaksha and Yakshi in the bastis are also of the Hoysala style. There are some inscriptions mentioning the Jaina pontiffs Sripala, Traividyadeva, and Ganasena Pandita.

Puranic Significance

This is one of the ancient Jaina sites in Kodagu. The inscription found here takes the antiquity of this place to the 10th century AD. It was the capital of the Kongalvas who were the feudatories of the Cholas around circa 11th century AD. The Parswanatha basadi was built by Poccahha, the queen of King Kongalva II in the mid 11th century. This is recorded in an inscription engraved on the Navaranga wall. It is in the Ganga- Chola style. The original structure must have been of the 10th century which was renovated during the 12th century. The main deity is a Chola sculpture seated in meditation. The Hoysalas and the Vijayanagar rulers also seem to have contributed for its extension. The Chandranatha Basaid which is built around 1058 AD is also in Ganga-Chola style. Here also the main deity is seated in meditative posture. Now these basadis are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. It appears to have been a very great centre of Jaina learning with many ascetics having lived here. There are many inscriptions here.