Kamal Basadi

The Kamal Basadi is one of the two Jain temples inside the Belgaum Fort. There is another Jain temple here called the Chikka Basadi, but that temple is currently in ruins.

Both Jain temples were built inside the fort in the Chalukyan architecture style. The "Mukhamantapa" (main hall) of this temple is very impressive, with a neatly depicted lotus carving projecting from the ceiling.

The Mantapa or the main hall is accessed through a number of steps partly enclosed by a balustrade with a large dome of great beauty. Lotus flowers, designed in concave shape, spaced at 1-foot intervals (30 cm), arranged in concentric circles in decreasing layers and depicting a central blossom of the lotus, decorate the roof.

 The lotus pendant is covered by a large roof in pyramidal shape. The pillars that support the roof with the lotus pendant are founded on plinths. Some pillars made of black basaltic stones (said to have magnetic characteristics) are highly polished. It is named as the Kamal Basadi since the tower of the temple depicts Kamal (lotus) with 72 petals, which presently displays images of the past 24 Tirthankaras but can also depict the present and future Thirthankars.

The pillars of the temple are well carved with decorations and neatly polished. Other idols seen in the temple are of: Bhagwan Sumatinath in the Kayotsarga posture, Bhagwan Parshvanath under the shade of seven-hooded serpent (Nagaraj), Bhagwan Adinath in the Padmasana posture and the Navagraha. The Archeology Department renovated this temple in 1996. The second Jain temple, though in ruins now, was once considered as a “remarkable piece of Jain architecture”. It has a frontage, which displays festooned rows of dancing figurines, musicians, and trimmed flowers.

Getting There

Kamal Basadi is situated inside Belgaum Fort, within the precincts of Belgaum city, which is located in the northwestern parts of Karnataka, and lies at the border of two states, Maharashtra and Goa.

Belgaum is connected by road via National Highways 4 and 4A. North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) run buses to all corners of Karnataka and to neighbouring states. There are many prominent private bus companies providing services to all major destinations in Karnataka and surrounding states.

Belgaum Railway Station is on the Indian Railways grid, being part of the South Western railways, and is well connected by rail to major destinations.

The city is served by Belgaum Airport at Sambra, which is the oldest airport in North Karnataka and lies 10 km (6.2 mi) from the city on State Highway 20. Currently, IndiGo and Star Air serve scheduled commercial flights to various cities in India.

undo ...back