Sri Vishnugudi Jain temple, Wayanad

Address

Sri Vishnugudi Jain temple Panamaram, Nadavayal, Kenichira, Bathery, Sulthanbathery, Wayanad District, Kerala, 670721

Diety

Tirthankaras

Introduction

The Vishnugudi Jain basadi is at Puthangadi and lies about half a kilometre from the Punchavayal junction. Only the sanctum remains of the original temple. The dilapidated base and stone slabs indicate the basadi may once have had various structures built around it as in Janardhangudi. The outer plan of the sanctum is similar to the outer plan of Janardhangudibasadi A Jain temple located at Puthangadi near Punchavayal in Wayanad district. The temple is located around 500 meters away from the Punchavayal Jain temple and also belongs to the mandapa-line type. Only the sanctum portion of the temple complex remains; the remaining architectural components have become dilapidated.

Puranic Significance

The temple is currently protected by the Archaeological Survey of India Here,one can enter the sanctum through an attached porch with four pillars. These pillars are carved with various figures, including Girija-Narasimha, dancing figures, floral motifs and a monkey.The sculptures on the pillars include kinnara, devotees in anjali mudra GaneshaGaruda, Gajalakshmi, a parrot rider, salabhanjikas, a female chauri bearer, lion, peacock and floral motifs. Jaya and Vijaya are carved on the sides of the entrance to the second and third cell.The idol is missing now.Vishnugudiare recorded as Vishnu temples in many reports. This is due to the representation of Vishnu’s incarnations on the walls of the basadi, though representations of Hindu gods and goddesses are common in many Jain basadis. The Hindu themes in Jain temples are a result of adaptations over time.The old temple was built by ThazheveenaVisnugudi Jain Basti of Kerala.The temple was damaged by Tipu Sultan’s army during its invasion of Wayanad. The temple is dated to between 12th and 14th centuries, built in a style similar to those found in Hoysala Empire in South Karnataka and near Hampi of the Vijayanagara Empire. The ruins are a remarkable illustration of syncretic worship of Jain Tirthankaras and Hindu deities. The reliefs of main temple and a collapsed mandala next to it, show Jain Tirthankaras and Hindu deites such as the ten avatars of Vishnu, Hanuman, Sita Devi and others.