About
About Shri Parshvanatha Basadi at Bekka
- Year of establishment
- AD 1173
- Established by
- Bhandari Hullamayya
- Main deity
- Lord Parshvanatha
- Timings
- Usually open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Location
- Open map
In AD 1173, Bhandari Hullamayya built Shri Parshvanatha Basadi in the village of Bekka. Pleased by this, Hoysala ruler Ballala II granted endowments for daily worship and offerings. An inscription in front records that Bhanukirti Deva, disciple of Nayakirti Deva, received the grant. Situated in the centre of Bekka, about eight kilometres from Shravanabelagola, the Basadi stands on a high platform and contains an entrance hall, navaranga, sukhanasi, and sanctum. Two pillars support the entrance hall, while the navaranga has four Rudrakanta-style pillars. Its ceiling has beautiful lotus-medallion canopies, and meditating Jina figures appear on the lintels of the navaranga and sukhanasi.
In the sanctum, the majestic image of Shri Parshvanatha Tirthankara is carved from deep-black stone and backed by a finely carved makara arch. Images of Dharanendra Yaksha and Padmavati Yakshi stand on either side. An inscription on the pedestal records that Nayakirti Deva of Hanasoge installed the image. A five-foot-high Jain inscription in front gives information about the Basadi’s construction, the Hoysala imperial genealogy and titles, Hullamayya’s distinction, and the endowments granted to the shrine.
