22nd June 2019.
After the visit to Triyambakeshwara Temple at Triyambakapura, we planned to stay on 22nd June night at Gundlupet. Our visit was not restricted to Shiva and Vishnu temples alone, but we also covered three Jain Temples and monuments. These Jain temples and monuments has the Chozha’s contributions. On the way to Gundlupate, we diverted to a living ancient Jain Basadi at Kelasuru.
The place Kelasur and the places around Gundlupete has the 1300 and odd years old Jain History. During 8th- 9th Century Jaina Acharya Virasena ( 792-853AD) believed to be lived at Kelasur. He wrote explanations and commentaries of the sacred Jain Shastras, Dhavala, Jayadhavala and Mahadhavala, at this Basadi/ temple.
The Deity: Chandraprabha Tirthankara.
Some of the salient features of this Basadi/ Temple are…
This Basadi is facing North with Sanctum Sanctorum, Sukanasi/ arthamandapa and a Navaranga / Mahamandapa. The Mahamandapa is supported by the Hoysala syle pillars exclusively used for the devotees to sit and worship. The Arthamandapa has the Marble idol of Lord Chandranatha in Standing posture ( Kayotsarga ). On the left of Chandranatha, idols of Brahmayaksha, Goddess Padmavathi and Goddess Kushmandini. Regular poojas and abhishekam are conducted daily.
At the entrance to the sanctum on the left is the 5 feet high idol of Shyama Yaksha and on the right side Jawalamalini Yakshi, the guardian deities of 8th Tirthankara Chandranatha. In the sanctum is the 3 feet high idol of Chandranath Tirthanka in Padmasana on a raised pedestal. The specialty of this temple is the three idols, Tirthankara Chandranatha, Shyama Yaksha and Kushmandini Yakshi are made of stucco ( Clay – in Kannada it is called as Leppa ).
The sanctum sanctorum adhistana is simple with Jagathi and virutha Kumudha, padmam on it and patti. There is no vimana over the sanctum. The Parapet wall has the simple designs.
On the back side of the sanctum sanctorum A 6 feet Parshvanatha and Nisithikai ( installed in memory of those who took sallekhana ) memory stones are installed. Parshvanath idol seems to be in good condition. It was told that these idols are unearthed from this Village.
HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS: ( Ref Article by Nitin H P )
Acharya Virasena, in his works, mentions this place as “Udyogapura” and this was the capital for the Jaina villages around this place. There were around 600 houses in this village. This place Kelasur is mentioned in the work “Rajavali Kathasuru”, written by Devachandra. The Tamil inscription mentions this place Kelasur as “Kellasuppulaicheri” in Kudugunattu, Gangaikonda Chozhavalanattu Mudikonda Chozhamandalam.
There are Five inscriptions found in this Basadi adhistana in Tamil with grantha ( two inscription of one, on the east side adhistana is not recorded), Kannada and Sanskrit. Of the 5 inscriptions, the Tamil with grantha inscription is the earliest.
The 12th century Vikrama Chozha ( also called as Solagangan ) 1118- 1135 AD, period Tamil inscriptions mentions about two grants. The 1st one records the gift of 12 kanduagas ( a measure ) of land to this temple. The second one records the gift of a Village Tenkottai as “Pallichantham”/ gift to this temple.
The 13th Century Hoysala King Vira Narasimhadeva-II ( 1220-1235AD), period Kannada inscriptions records as two persons Gopuyya and Ranganna gifted a house and income from the house to be used for the worship of this temple.
The 19th Century ( 1829AD), inscription of Mysuru King Krishnaraja Vodeyar-III, records the renovation of this temple.
The temple was recently renovated under Kanagagiri math, Swamiji Swati Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattaraka.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The Basadi is kept open between 07.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs and the priest K T Dharanendraiah is staying in this Kelasur Village.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The Basadi is under the control of Sri Kanakagiri Jain math at Maleyuru in Chamarajanagar district may be contacted on the land lines 08226 210786 and 08226 211786 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
Kelasur is about 9 KM from Gundlupete, 17 KM from Kanakagiri Jain Math, 46 KM from Nanjangud and 68 KM from Mysuru.
The nearest Railway station is at Nanjangud.
The nearest airport is Mysuru.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Sukanasi or the arthamandapa
Shyama Yaksha and Kushmandini Yakshi
Sri Chandranatha Tirthankara ( moolavar made of Clay- leppa )
Parshvanatha Tirthankara
Nisithikai ( installed in memory of those who took sallekhana ) memory stones
Nisithikai ( installed in memory of those who took sallekhana ) memory stones
The Tamil inscription on adhistana virutha kumuda
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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