Bramha Jinalaya is essentially a Jain Basadi. It was constructed in the year 1007 A.D. during the reign of the Kalyana Chalukya ruler Irivabedanga Satyashraya (source: ASI board in front of the temple). The garbagudi of the Jinalaya has ornate pillars on either side. There’s idol of Mahavira in center, idol of Padmavathi in left and Parshavnatha in right.
About Bramha Jinalaya :
Brahma Jinalaya is a Jain temple situated at Lakkundi village in Gadag District of Karnataka. It was constructed by Attimabbe, wife of Nagadeva who was a chieftain of Chalukya King Ahavamalla. The sacred sanctum of the temple houses the main deity of Vardhaman Mahavir, the last Jain Tirthankar. The temple is an outstanding example of the Karnataka style of architecture. The sculptures inside the temple illustrate Attimabbe’s devotion, generosity and other virtues. Within the temple complex, there’s a mukhya mandap or main hall and a court hall, intricately carved with sculptures depicting divine dancers. Lakkundi is 12 km from Gadag. The nearest railway station and airport are at Gadag Railway Station and Belgaum Airport respectively.
Attractions Of Bramha Jinalaya In Karnataka :
In Dharwad, Gadag district of North Karnataka is the village of Lakkundi, which is home to a number of Jain and Vaisnava temples. Lakkundi (also called Lokki Gundi) is 11 km. from Gadag, on the route to Hampi (Hospet). There are more than 50 temple in the village, in varying degrees of ruin, including the Lakshminarayana, Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Someshwara, and Nilakanteshwara temples, among many others. There are also more than 100 stepped wells, called kalyani or pushkarni.
The temples, tirthas and tanks in Lakkundi were built during the reign of the late Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seuna and Hoysalas. The Chalukyas took power from the Rashtrakutas during the late 9th century and made Kalyani their capital. A great center of Chalukya art, there are a number of very important architectural sites found in the area. These include the Kasivisvesvara temple and the Jain Brahma-Jinalaya, one of the oldest shrines at Lakkundi. A beautiful catur-mukhya Brahmadev murti found in the Brahma-Jinalaya temple is the focus of today’s segment.
Historical :
The Chalukyas ruled from Kalyana (present Basavakalyana) in Bidar district from the tenth century CE to twelfth century CE after defeating the Rashtrakutas. Taila II was the founder of this dynasty and he claimed descent from the Chalukyas of Badami (who are famous for the monuments at Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole). The Kalyani Chalukyas were great patrons of art and built glorious temples and tanks at Itagi, Lakkundi, Kuruvatti, Gadag, etc. They are known for their intricate carvings and attention to detail.
Lakkundi came into picture in the medieval period. In the 11th century, it was a centre of higher learning and an eminent agrahara. This place was also a busy centre of mintage. The great Hoysala king Veera Ballala III resided here and made Lakkundi his second metropolis.
Monuments :
It was at Lakkundi that the Kalyani Chalukya architecture attained its zenith. There are many temples of varying floor plans and elevation. Greenish blue schist (soap stone) is the chief raw material used here unlike Aihole and Pattadakal where sandstone is used. Brahma Jinalaya, Kashi Vishveshwara, Kumbareshwara, Manikeshwara, Naganatha, Nanneshwara and Musukinabaavi are some of the monuments being protected and maintained by the ASI. The ASI has proposed this group of monuments to be enlisted in the World Heritage Monuments. There are many more ruined temples which have been occupied by the villagers.