Lakkundi Jain Temple (Brahma Jinalaya), Karnataka

Address

Lakkundi Jain Temple (Brahma Jinalaya), Lakkundi, Karnataka 582115

Diety

Neminatha

Introduction

The Jain Temple, Lakkundi or Brahma Jinalaya is located in the historically important temple town Lakkundi in the Gadag District of Karnataka state, India. Archaeological Survey of India has listed this basadi in the complex in the list of “Must See” Indian Heritage. According to the art historian Adam Hardy, the architectural style of the temple can be classified as “Later Chalukya style, mainstream Lakkundi school of mid-11th century with late 11th century superstructure (shikhara)”. The temple has single shrine (ekakuta vimana) connected to a closed mantapa hall via a vestibule (sukanasi or ardhamantapa) that is connected to another, open mantapa.

Puranic Significance

The town of Lakkundi was known as Lokkigundi in medieval times, the town was of considerable importance during the 11-12th century A.D. Western Chalukya rule. The Brahma Jinalaya was built in 1007 CE by Attimabbe, wife of Nagadeva, who served as general under both Taila II and Satyashraya Irivabedanga (997-1008 A.D.). Satyasraya Irivabedanga had the title ‘Sarvavarnadharmadhanu’ – meaning bow that respects all religions, without discrimination. The temple represents the second phase of Kalyani Chalukyas art. It is said that Attimabbe donated 1,500 jewel-studded statues of thirthankaras and 1,000 copies of the manuscript of Ponna’s ‘Santipurana’ written on palm-leaves book. With the waning of their power, in 1191 A.D., the noted Hoysala empire king Veera Ballala II made this town an important garrison. In 12th century, Chaturmukh Bharma was installed by villagers giving the temple the name Brahma Jinalaya. Historical records note that there were 5 Jain temples in the region but only this temple survives