 Jain Architecture in South India resembles the Dravidian style. Jainism had reached South India in the beginning of Christian era. Best specimens of Jain architecture can be seen at Shravanabelagola, Mudabidri.
Shravanabelagola is the centre of Jainism in the South. One can see at the peak of Vindhyagiri a 17meter high statue of Gommateshwara that is carved on a rock. He is also known as Bahubali, a son of the first Tirthankara, Adinatha according to legends. Around this statue, there are lot of temples. Chandragiri Hill is much more important as far as architecture is concerned. Mana-Stambha is situated there and there are twelve temples to accompany it. Kattale Basti is the largest and it conveys the characteristics of "Southern Style" especially the Chamundaraya Basti temple. 
Mudabidri is another holy place in South India for the Jains. This small town has eighteen Jaina temples. In front of each temple a stambha is erected. The temple style in the west coast is different from that of Tamil Nadu. The largest temple in Mudabidri has its upper part made of wood and has a pitched gable roof atop. This "West coast Style" is linked to the state of Kerala.
During the rule of the Rashtrakutas several basadis were erected. Parsvanatha Basadi at Ron is one of the most important one that has exquisitely carved grills that depict Gandharvas in scroll work. The Jaina architectural beginnings made by the Kadambas of Banavasi were transformed into better stone structures during the period of Badami Chalukyas. The 4th cave is the Jaina cave that is dedicated to Adinatha Tirthankara. Aihole has Jaina cave temple that is an open mandapa and a Sabhamandapa. The Garbhgriha has the sculpture of Mahavira in Padma Sana. Other Jain temples include Meguti Jinalaya at Aihole; Sankha Jinalaya at Lakshmeshwar is dedicated to Neminatha, Jinalaya at Hallur, Jinalaya at Adur in Hangal taluk. The Jaina monuments that were built during the period of Rashtrakutas are found at Pattadakal, Malkhed, Lakshmeshwar, Koppal, Bankura, of North Karnataka. The Neminatha basadi at Malkhed is another example of Jain architecture. Other sculptures are those of Parsvanatha, Dharanendra and Padmavati. Jaina temple at Naregal has a sikhara of Dravida vimana type over the Garbha griha. Jaina basadi at Konnur in Dharwad District was built during the period of Amoghavarsha I and it has a star shaped Garbha griha. Settavva temple at Aihole is another basadi. Fine notable sculptures are Adinatha, Chandraprabha, Santinatha, Parsvanatha, Mahavira and Padmavati. The most important Jaina temples of this period are: Brahma Jinalaya at Lakkundi, the Brahma Jinalaya built by Attimabbe, Sankha Jinalya at Lakshmeshwar. |
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Jain Architecture in South India
| Jain Architecture in South India does have slight differences with their counterparts in the North. This architecture is more of a Dravidian style. |
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