https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Brahma_Jinalaya%2C_LakkundiBrahma Jinalaya, Lakkundi - Revision history2026-11-06T19:25:42ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brahma_Jinalaya,_Lakkundi&diff=492285&oldid=prevIgnacioElem3: added a post2026-03-25T18:56:08Z<p>added a post</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|11th-century Mahavira temple in Lakkundi, Gadag District of Karnataka state, India}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}<br />
<br />
{{Infobox religious building<br />
| religious_affiliation = [[Jainism]]<br />
| image = Jain temple at Lakkundi.jpg<br />
| alt = Brahma Jinalaya<br />
| caption = Brahma Jinalaya<br />
| map_type = India Karnataka#India<br />
| map_alt = Saavira<br />
| map_size = 180px<br />
| map_caption = Location within Karnataka<br />
| relief = yes<br />
| location = [[Lakkundi]], [[Karnataka]]<br />
| deity = [[Neminatha]]<br />
| established = 1007 CE<br />
| sect = [[Digambara]]<br />
| festivals = [[Mahavir Janma Kalyanak]]<br />
| creator = [[Attimabbe]]<br />
| architecture_style = [[Western Chalukya architecture]]<br />
| temple_quantity = 1<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|15|23|22.2|N|75|42|51.2|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}<br />
| governing_body = <br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
The '''Brahma Jinalaya''', sometimes called as the '''Greater Jain Temple of Lakkundi''', is an early 11th-century [[Neminatha]] temple in [[Lakkundi]], [[Gadag District]] of Karnataka state, India. The temple is attributed to Attiyabbe (Danacintamani Attimbbe), the wife of the local governor Dandanayaka Nagadeva. It faces east, has a mukhamandapa, a gudhamandapa and its sanctum is covered by a sur-temple style vimana superstructure. The temple is notable for its reliefs depicting Jaina artwork, statues of the Tirthankaras and the two statues of Brahma and Saraswati inside its inner mandapa.{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|p=89}}{{sfn|Cousens|1926|pages=77-78}}<br />
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The temple was ruined and mutilated during or after the wars of the 13th-century.{{Clarification needed|date=September 2021|reason=No discussion in body.}} It was rediscovered by British archaeologists led by Henry Cousens in "deserted, filthy condition, occupied by a colony of bats" with beheaded Mahavira statue outside. Now cleaned and restored, the Jain temple of Lakkundi is one of many historic Chalukya era Jain and Hindu temples found in Lakkundi. It is the oldest major Jain temple in this region. <br />
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[[Archaeological Survey of India]] has listed this basadi in the complex in the list of "Must See" Indian Heritage.{{Sfn|ASI must see|Jain Basti, Lakkundi}}<br />
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==Location==<br />
Lakkundi is about 12 kilometers southeast of Gadag-Betageri twin city, between [[Hampi]] and [[Goa]]. It can be reached by India's National Highway 67. The Bramha Jinalaya temple is one of many Jain and Hindu temples found in and around Lakkundi. It is located on the southwest side of the village, near few other historic Jaina temples.{{sfn|Cousens|1926|pp=77–82}}<br />
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== History ==<br />
The town of [[Lakkundi]] was known as Lokkigundi in medieval times. It was of considerable importance during the 11-12th century A.D. [[Western Chalukya]] rule, and hosted a number of Jain and Hindu temples. The Brahma Jinalaya was built in 1007 CE{{Sfn|Hartmann|Ray|2020|p=2360}} by [[Attimabbe]], wife of Nagadeva, who served as general under both [[Taila II]] and [[Satyashraya Irivabedanga]] (997-1008 A.D.).{{sfn|Krishnamachari|2013}} The temple represents the second phase of [[Western Chalukya Empire|Kalyani Chalukyas]] art.{{Sfn|Chugh|2016|p=305}} In 1191 A.D., the noted [[Hoysala empire]] king [[Veera Ballala II]] made this town an important garrison.{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|p=77}}<br />
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The temple includes several inscriptions that helps date this temple and the gifts it received before the 14th-century. When mentioned, the temple is called Brahma Jinalaya of Lokkigundi in these historic inscriptions.{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|pp=89-92}}{{sfn|Ansari|1997|p=417}}<br />
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== Architecture ==<br />
[[File:Brahma Jinalaya temple plan, Lakkundi, Karnataka.jpg|thumb|left|Brahma Jinalaya temple plan, Lakkundi, Karnataka]]<br />
According to the art historian [[Adam Hardy (architectural historian)|Adam Hardy]], the temple illustrates the "[[Western Chalukya architecture|Later Chalukya]] architecture, mainstream Lakkundi school of mid-11th century with late 11th century superstructure (''[[shikhara]]'')".{{Sfn|Hardy|1995|p=335}} The temple has single shrine (''ekakuta'') connected to a closed mantapa hall via a [[vestibule (architecture)|vestibule]] (''[[sukanasi]]'' or ''ardhamantapa'') that is connected to another, open mantapa.{{Sfn|Hardy|1995|p=173}} This temple is one of the fine illustrations of the Western Chalukya architecture.{{Sfn|Prakash|2005|p=178}}{{Sfn|Sangave|1980|p=371}} The temple has a [[garbhagriha]], an [[antarala]], a closed navaranga mandapa, and an open pillared mukha-[[mandapa]]. Over the garbhagriha is the three storeyed nirandhara vimana with a square griva and sikhara.{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|pp=89-92}} Above the cornice of these arched niches at regular intervals is a seated Jaina figure. The ceilings are plain and pillars are well decorated. The open [[mandapa]] is supported by 32 pillars and pilasters.{{Sfn|ASI must see|Jain Basti, Lakkundi}}<br />
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According to art critic [[Percy Brown (art historian)|Percy Brown]], these elements are found commonly in all [[Western Chalukya architecture|Western Chalukya temples]]. The building material is [[soapstone]], which according to Percy Brown became the standard in later [[Hoysala architecture]] as well.{{Sfn|Hardy|1995|p=335}}{{Sfn|Kamath|2001|pp=115-117}} According to art historians Henry Cousens and Om Prakash, the most conspicuous feature of the Western Chalukya temples is the decrease in the size of masonry and the resulting decrease in the overall height of the temples compared to those built by the [[Badami Chalukyas]] at [[Pattadakal]]. This was a result of a shift in the basic building material, from [[sandstone]] to the more workable soapstone (Chloritic [[schist]]). In the coming decades, this transformation was to lead ''[[Vesara]]'' architecture toward increased ornamentation and articulation.{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|p=77}}{{Sfn|Prakash|2005|p=178}}<br />
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[[File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 11.jpg|thumb|A view of the Brahma Jinalaya from its south.]]<br />
The temple style is quite similar to the older Shiva temple in Kukkanur, and they represent the transition phase between early Chalukya and Late Chalukya styles.{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|p=77}} He categorizes the tower over the shrine as Dravidian (south Indian) with a square plan.{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|p=77}} Kamath classifies it as ''[[Vesara]]'' because each tier are encrusted with motifs that make the tower more "curvilinear".{{Sfn|Kamath|2001|p=117}} According to Cousens, the overall structure with its well proportioned tiers and finial (''[[amalaka]]'', ''[[kalasha]]'') give the superstructure a "majestic" look. Above the [[cornice]] are circular niches, each of which holds the image of a Jain saint (Jaina) in relief, with a ''[[kirtimukha]]'' decoration above. The walls of the shrine have [[pilaster]]s, with the spaces between them containing, in relief, [[pavilion]]s, and miniature decorative towers ([[aedicula]]) on slender half pilasters. Some miniature towers have niches below them. Overall, decorative ornamentation is taken to a new level compared to earlier temples.{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|p=78}}<br />
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Dhaky and Meister call the temple as the ''Great Jaina temple of Lakkundi'', thereby differentiating it from other minor Jaina temples of Lakkundi.{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|pp=89-92}}<br />
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== Sculpture ==<br />
There are several notable freestanding sculptures in the temple:{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|pages=77–78}}{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|pp=89-92}}<br />
[[File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 85.jpg|thumb|The Tirthankara statue inside the temple]]<br />
* A beheaded image of [[Mahavira]] that is a little over 4 feet tall, made of black polished stone and seated on a "lion throne" (''simhaasana'') is found outside the temple. The sanctum's door lintel (''lalita-bimba'') depicts Mahavira, which in Indian tradition typically marks the sanctum's primary dedication. It is therefore believed that originally this idol was housed as the primary sanctum deity of temple.{{Sfn|ASI must see|Jain Basti, Lakkundi}}{{sfn|Rao|2019}}<br />
* In the contemporary era, the sanctum has a statue of [[Neminatha]] as the mulnayak with yaksha and yakshi on either side. There is a beautiful sculpture of seven hooded [[Parshva]] in [[Kayotsarga]] position with yakshi and yaksha on both sides.{{Sfn|Shah|1987|p=185}} The sculpture of [[Padmavati (Jainism)|Padmavati]]{{Sfn|Chugh|2016|p=305}}{{sfn|Karunakaran|2016}} sitting with left knee upright besides Parshva depicts Goddess with [[goad]] and noose in right and left upper arms respectively and the lower hands are in [[varadamudra]] with fruit.{{Sfn|Shah|1987|p=270}} Cousens states it may have been taken out and left there. The saint has an attendant on either side, holding a ''chowri'' (a type of brush) in one hand a fruit in another. <br />
* A large standing, monolithically carved four-headed [[Brahma]] stands in the inner hall.{{Sfn|Chugh|2016|p=305}}{{sfn|Rao|2019}} He is shown predominantly with Hindu iconography, but the pedestal is shown with Jaina art such as those of lions. <br />
* Opposite Brahma in the inner mandapa is the statue of a goddess which Cousens and many scholars consider [[Saraswati]] given the iconographic details.{{sfn|Rao|2019}} The alternate interpretation is that she is a Jaina goddess which shares some features with Saraswati. As depicted, in each of her four hands she holds an attribute; a ''ankusa'' (elephant goad), a petaled flower, a book and a [[citron]]. <br />
* The doorframes are intricately carved in five parallel bands (panchasakha) in the famous Karnata plateresque style, with hamsavali, padmamala, bhutasakha and ratnasakha. The pedya figures include Rati and Kamadeva.{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|pp=89-92}}<br />
* A serenely contemplative Parsvanatha with seven-headed snake hood above his head but damaged (broken limbs, mutilated nose, mutilated sexual organs);{{sfn|Dhaky|Meister|1996|pp=89-92}} it was discovered outside the temple by Cousens, now moved for safekeeping by ASI.<br />
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In addition to these sculptures, reliefs of Jaina goddesses and apsaras are depicted on the pillars. On the door lintel at the entrance to the vestibule, an image of [[Gajalakshmi]] (Hindu goddess Lakshmi with elephants on either side) is shown like other historic temples of Jainism.{{Sfn|Cousens|1926|pages=78-79}}{{sfn|Karunakaran|2016}}<br />
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== Lakkundi Utsav ==<br />
Lakkundi Utsav is two-day annual cultural event organised annually. The event has main stage with temples as the background, is named 'Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Vedike' after 11th century queen Attimabbe.{{sfn|Pattanashetti|2017}}<br />
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== Protection ==<br />
The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI).{{sfn|ASI}} Karnataka government has announced setting up Lakkundi Development Authority for the development of [[Lakkundi]] at cost of Rs. 3 crores.{{Sfn|Deccan Herald|2017}} More than 50 ruined, mutilated Jain and Hindu sculpture, 3 inscriptions were discovered during tourist facility development and site restoration efforts at the nearby Naganatha temple – another Jain temple. Some of these sculpture are on display near the Brahma Jinalaya temple in a shed, conserved by the ASI.{{sfn|Koppar|2018}}<br />
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<gallery widths="200" heights="200"><br />
File:Old Kannada inscription (1172 A.D.) at the Jain temple in Lakkundi.JPG|Old Kannada inscription dated 1172 A.D. at Jain temple in Lakkundi<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 15.jpg|Mukhamandapa (entrance, open)<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 04.jpg|Gudhamandapa (inner, closed)<br />
File:Kirtimukha relief decoration at the Jain temple in Lakkundi.JPG|''[[Kirtimukha]]'' wall relief<br />
File:Door jamb and lintel decoration, and Tirthankara image in the sanctum at the Jain temple at Lakkundi.jpg|[[Neminatha]] image in sanctum, doorframe and lintel decoration<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 84.jpg|''Chaturmukha'', four-faced Brahma inside with Jaina-base decoration<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 53.jpg|Mahavira on the lalita-bimba of the sanctum, evidence that the temple was originally dedicated to Mahavira<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 72.jpg|Damaged idol of [[Mahavira]], the original mulnayaka idol<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 46.jpg|Inner mandapa pillars, Jaina artwork in the lower sections<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 16.jpg|Outer mandapa pillar<br />
File:11th century Brahma Jinalaya temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka India - 03.jpg|Another view, showing the secondary Jain shrine north of the Greater Jain temple of Lakkundi<br />
</gallery><br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Akkana Basadi]]<br />
* [[Shantinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura]]<br />
* [[Lakshmeshwara Jain temples]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
=== Citations ===<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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=== Sources ===<br />
==== Books ====<br />
* {{cite book| last1=Dhaky | first1=Madhusudan A. | author-link1=Madhusudan Dhaky | last2=Meister | first2=Michael | author-link2=Michael W. Meister |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture, Volume 1 Part 3 South India Text & Plates| url={{Google books|a1VJAQAAIAAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |year=1996|publisher=[[American Institute of Indian Studies]]|isbn=978-81-86526-00-2|pages=89–92}}<br />
* {{cite book|last1=Hartmann |first1=Jens-Uwe |last2=Ray |first2=Himanshu Prabha |url={{Google books|KWHwDwAAQBAJ|pg=PT2360|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}}|title=Power, Presence and Space South Asian Rituals in Archaeological Context| series=Archaeology and Religion in South Asia |date=2020|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] | isbn=9781000168808 | volume=5 }} <br />
* {{cite book |last=Chugh |first=Lalit |title=Karnataka's Rich Heritage - Art and Architecture: From Prehistoric Times to the Hoysala Period | volume=6 |url={{Google books|JpnoCwAAQBAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} | date=2016|publisher=[[Notion Press]]|isbn=9789352068258}} <br />
* {{cite book| last=Cousens | first=Henry | author-link=Henry Cousens |title= The Chalukyan Architecture of Kanarese Districts|year= 1926| publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |location= New Delhi|oclc = 37526233 | url=http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/529290 }}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.529290/ Alt URL] <br />
* {{cite book |last=Foekema|first=Gerard |title= Architecture decorated with architecture: Later medieval temples of Karnataka, 1000–1300 AD|orig-year=2003|year=2003|publisher=[[Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.]]|location=New Delhi|isbn= 81-215-1089-9 | url=https://easaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/04-foekema.pdf }}<br />
* {{cite book |last=Kamath |first=Suryanath U. |title=A concise history of Karnataka: from pre-historic times to the present |orig-year=1980 |year=2001 |publisher=Jupiter books |location=Bangalore |oclc=7796041 |lccn=80905179 | url=http://ijar.org.in/stuff/issues/v1-i1/v1-i1-a018.pdf }} <br />
* {{cite book |last=Hardy |first=Adam | author-link=Adam Hardy (architectural historian) |title=Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation : the Karṇāṭa Drāviḍa Tradition, 7th to 13th Centuries |url={{Google books|aU0hCAS2-08C|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |year=1995|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=9788170173120}} <br />
* {{cite book |last=Sangave |first=Vilas Adinath | author-link=Vilas Adinath Sangave |title=Jaina Community: A Social Survey | volume=2 |url={{Google books|FWdWrRGV_t8C|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |year=1980|publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]]|location=Mumbai|isbn=9780317123463}} <br />
* {{cite book |last=Shah |first=Umakant Premanand | author-link=Umakant Premanand Shah |title=Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana | volume=1 |url={{Google books|m_y_P4duSXsC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |year=1987|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=9788170172086}} <br />
* {{ cite book| last=Prakash | first=Om | title=Cultural History Of India, New Age International, 2005, New Delhi | url={{Google books|nzpYb5UOeiwC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} | publisher=New Age International | date=2005 | isbn=81-224-1587-3 }}<br />
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==== Web ====<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Ansari | first=Zakia K. | title=Pandyas Of Uchchangi – Some Cultural Contributions | journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress | publisher=[[Indian History Congress]] | volume=58 | year=1997 | page=417 | url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44143940 | jstor=44143940 | access-date=27 January 2023 }}<br />
* {{cite news | last=Karunakaran | first=K. | title=Heritage shrines of Lakkundi | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/spectrum/poet-novelist-and-icon-kuvempu-s-enduring-impact-1176124.html | newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] | date=26 July 2016 }}<br />
* {{cite news | last=Koppar | first=Raghotta M. | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/dec/26/11th-century-chalukya-era-sculptures-found-in-gadag-district-1916474.html | title=11th-century Chalukya era sculptures found in Gadag district | date=26 December 2018 | newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] }}<br />
* {{cite news | last=Krishnamachari | first=Suganthy | title=Speaks of catholic outlook | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | date=11 May 2013 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/speaks-of-catholic-outlook/article4698597.ece }}<br />
* {{cite news | last=Pattanashetti | first=Girish | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/village-of-hundreds-of-wells-temples-ready-for-lakkundi-utsav/article17285416.ece1 | year=2017 | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | title=Village of hundreds of wells, temples ready for Lakkundi Utsav (11 February 2017)}}<br />
* {{cite news | last=Rao | first=Padma | title=Luminous Lakkundi | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/spectrum/spectrum-top-stories/luminous-lakkundi-787295.html | newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] | date=21 December 2019 }}<br />
* {{cite news | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/601607/lakkundi-development-authority-set-up.html | title=Lakkundi Development Authority to be set up at a cost Rs 3 crore | date=16 March 2017 | newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] | ref={{SfnRef|Deccan Herald|2017}} }}<br />
* {{cite web | author=ASI |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_karnataka_dharwad.asp|title=Alphabetical List of Monuments - Karnataka - Dharwad, Dharwad Circle, Karnataka|work=Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India| location=Dharwad|publisher=Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts|access-date=8 April 2013 }}<br />
* {{Cite web| url=http://asimustsee.nic.in/jain-basti.php | title=Jain Basti, Lakkundi, Karnataka | website=Archaeological Survey of India | ref={{SfnRef|ASI must see|Jain Basti, Lakkundi}} }}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
* {{commons category-inline|Brahma Jinalaya Temple, Lakkundi}}<br />
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{{Jain temples}}<br />
{{Jainism topics}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
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[[Category:Chalukya dynasty]]<br />
[[Category:11th-century Jain temples]]<br />
[[Category:Jain temples in Karnataka]]<br />
[[Category:Western Chalukya Empire]]</div>IgnacioElem3