Jain Temples at Mudabidri, Karnataka

Mudabidri (Mudabdri), an ancient centre for Jain learning is known as the ‘Jain Varanasi’ of south India. This centre to Jain religion, culture, art and architecture is located in Mangalore, the Dakshina Kannada district headquarters in Karnataka state, India.

Mudabidri witnessed the growth of Jainism between 14th and 16th centuries and more than 18 Jain temples, known as Basadis, were constructed during this period. It was also a centre of Jain literature.

Featured in the video is Chandranatha Basadi, the oldest and largest Jain temple inside Mudabidri. This temple is also known as the Thousand Pillars Basadi. The main entrance of the temple opens onto an excellent monolithic pillar and has monolithic columns in Jain tradition, each with a different carving. The temple contains a valuable collection of jewel-encrusted metallic images of Jain tirthankaras. The pillars here are circular and are richly decorated with Vijayanagara carvings.