30 inscriptions found in Udupi’s 450-year-old basadi offer insights into Jain heritage | Bengaluru News


30 inscriptions found in Udupi's 450-year-old basadi offer insights into Jain heritage

BENGALURU: The discovery of 30 inscriptions has put the spotlight on Abbana Bettu Basadi in Mudaru village of Karkala taluk, Udupi district. Of them, 29 are in Kannada script and one is in Nagari, bearing only the name of a Tirthankara.
The inscriptions were found in diverse locations within the 450-year-old basadi — two at the back of the stone idols of Parshwanatha Tirthankara; 24 on the pedestals of brass idols representing 24 Jain Tirthankaras; one on a metal idol of Parshwanatha Tirthankara; one on a cymbal; two more on the ornate silver arches of Adinatha Tirthankara statue.
“This find is significant as it adds 30 inscriptions to the extensive collection,” said historian Dr Ravikumar K Navalagunda, who made the discovery.
The earliest inscription, dated March 25, 1586 CE, belongs to the era of Saluva Bhairarasa (Bhairarasa II), a ruler of Kalasa-Karkala Jain dynasty in late 16th century. This 16-line inscription records that Lakshmamanadevi, wife of Saluva Bhairarasa, commissioned a list of 24 Tirthankaras and granted it to the basadi. It also mentions religious rituals conducted at Parshwanatha Basadi, near Karkala palace in Lakshmamanadevi’s name. This inscription highlights her previously unknown role within Bhairarasa (Santara) dynasty, known for contributions such as Gomateshwara statue in Karkala.
Another 16th-century inscription found on Parshwanatha Tirthankara statue reveals it was commissioned by a patron named Devarasa. Inscriptions on the brass Tirthankara pedestals detail the individuals, who commissioned these idols. While the cymbal bears an inscription from 18th century, inscriptions on the silver arches are the latest among the finds and date back to 19th century.
Also known as Atikari Basadi, the settlement is named after Atikari family, which originally built it apart from contributing 12 of 24 brass Tirthankara idols, the cymbal, and also land for the Jain temple’s upkeep.





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