THE CONDITION OF JAIN TEMPLES IN SOUTH INDIA IS MATTER OF CONCERN

MAKODU'S PARASWNATH TEMPLE - Makodu (Makod), a silent village in the Periyapatna taluk of Mysore district has a very ancient history. The ancient Basava (Nandi) temple and the Parshwanath temple are living proofs to this. The Basava temple is in good shape and is worshiped regularly.

Ruined Parshwanth Temple - The Parshwanath temple is in a very dilapidated condition and demands immediate attention of the community. For a first timer to the village it is hard to locate the temple. Even after locating one cannot make out that it is a Jain temple owing to the fact that it is on its ruins. We can find a lot of plants, trees and creepers grown around the external walls of the temple. Most parts of the external structure are in a dismantled state. It is very shocking to note that the temple has been converted into a store room and a cow shed. We can find a pile of broken pipes, bamboos being put up to tie the cows and is used as a working place for a couple of families around the temple to stock their fire wood. A couple of houses with mud walls have also been constructed around the temple in the area said to be belonging to the temple.

Construction of the Temple - We cannot find any inscriptions or other historical sources mentioning about the temples antiquity. However, looking at its structure and history of the place we can conclude that the temple might have been constructed during the Hoysalan period (around 12 -13th Century).

Temple Structure - Externally it has an attractive adhishtana (foundation). Internally the temple has a multi pillared wide hall (navaranga) leading to a smaller hall (sukanasi) and the sanctum sanctorum (garbagriha). The sanctum sanctorum houses a 5 feet 9 inches high ruined idol of Lord Parshwanath in the standing (Kayotsarga) posture. The idol is flanked by Dharanendra Yaksha, Padmavati Yaksi and have attractively carved arch enclosure surrounding it. The idol has seven hoods and the face is mutilated. The idol has been chipped off intermittently all throughout its length. The Navaranga and the Garbagriha have attractive carvings along its roof.

Location - Makodu is a village located at a distance of 61 Kms from Mysore, 17 Kms from Hunsur, 20 Kms from Periyapatna & 25 Kms from Krishnarajanagar.

This ancient temple will vanish from public view forever unless urgent steps are taken to protect it. ..................Click here to read further .............................