ASI unearths Jain temple in Hassan district

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed an ancient temple of Hoysala era in Hassan district recently, an ASI official said on Wednesday. Presumably, a Jain temple, the ancient structure with a grand platform carrying intricate carvings unique to the Hoysala era, was found at Shantinatha Basadi near Halebidu in Belur taluk, the officer added. The discovery is significant because it shows that the Hoysala rulers had patronised Jainism as well.

The excavation was carried out on January 20 by a team led by Dr G Maheshwari, Regional Director of ASI (Southern Region). "It was a mound measuring 30 metres by 20 metres. We have dug out the plinth of the temple and discovered many artefacts and sculptures from the site. It seems to be a Jain temple," Shivkant Bajpai, the Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, Bengaluru Circle told PTI.

According to him, it could just be a beginning and there might exist some bigger temples nearby. The ASI had been receiving reports of artefacts found around Halebidu, which already has a magnificent temple from the Hoysala period. Among the artefacts discovered were the sculptures of a Jain Upasaka measuring two feet in height.

Hoysala dynasty, which ruled parts of the state from the 12th to 14th century, had patronised all sects of the prevailing time. The Hoysala rulers built the Chennakeshava temple for Vaishnavites in Belur and Kedareshwara (Shiva) temple for Shivaites at Halebidu.