Front view of Chaturmukha Basadi.
Details
The Jain basadis, carved pillars and temples in Gerusoppa in Honnavar taluk which date back to
14 century A.D. throw light on the reign of the Salva dynasty.
At Gerusoppa in Honnavar taluk of Uttara Kannada district, the stones narrate stories. the temples are cradles of culture while the statues and carved pillars stand as witnesses to the aesthetic sense of our
ancestors.
14 century A.D. throw light on the reign of the Salva dynasty.
At Gerusoppa in Honnavar taluk of Uttara Kannada district, the stones narrate stories. the temples are cradles of culture while the statues and carved pillars stand as witnesses to the aesthetic sense of our
ancestors.
Gerusoppa, which is on the banks of River Sharavati is situated to the east on NH 206, about 30 kms away from Honnavar. Also known as Kshemapura, Ballatakepura and Nagire, Gerusoppa attained prominence
under the rule of the Salva dynasty during the 14th and 15th century A.D.
under the rule of the Salva dynasty during the 14th and 15th century A.D.
The beautiful Hoysala-style architecture seen in the Jain Basadis and many statues , manuscripts are found here stand as monumental evidence to the encouragement that art and architecture received during the period.
One building that showcases the Hoysala architecture is the Chaturmukha Basti. Which is made of granite rock, has the statues of four Jain `teerthankaras'. Which are Vrushabanath, Ajitnath, Sambhavanath & Abhinandananath.
All four entrances to the temple look alike & are identical same as the idol inside the temple. The well polished
statues are losing their colour. One statue has been disfigured by miscreants who drilled a hole into it in search of treasure.
The 'Basadi' building said to have been built by Chennabairadevi, seems incomplete. Chennabairadevi was known as the Pepper Queen because her reign, called the Golden Age of the Salva Dynasty, was marked by export of high quality pepper grown in the nearby areas.
Apart from Chaturmukha basti, there are other buildings, statues, stone-edicts in the adjoining areas that are in a dilapidated state. Lack of concern for these heritage buildings have turned a place of architectural importance into a place of neglect.
