South India Jain Tours: Jainism came to Southern India in the third century BC, after Chandragupta Maurya and the Jain monk Bhadrabahu, travelled to Shravanabelagola. Today, Karnataka has some of India’s important Jain temples.
Palakad: Jainimedu Jain temple is a 15th-century Jain temple, located three km from the centre of Palakkad. dedicated to Chandraprabha. The celebrated Malayalam poet Kumaranasan, wrote his monumental poem Veenapoovu (The fallen flower) at a Jain house near Palakad.
Wayanad: Wayanad district was once an important Jain centre. Sultan’s Battery is one of the historic temples built in the 13th century and now lies in the fortifications used by Tipu Sultan.
Sargur: Sargur in Karnataka is known for its Jain temples. The Ananthanatha Swami Jain temple and a Chowmukha have been renovated.
Saravana Belgoa: This is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites. Shravanabelagola has two hills, Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri. Acharya Bhadrabahu and his pupil Chandragupta Maurya are believed to have meditated there.[1] Chandragupta Basadi, which was dedicated to Chandragupta Maurya, was originally built there by Ashoka in the third century BC. Chandragiri also has memorials to numerous monks and Śrāvakas who have meditated there since the fifth century AD, including the last king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty of Manyakheta. Chandragiri also has a famous temple built by Chavundaraya, who was a disciple of Nemichandra.
The 57-feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshvara is located on Vindyagiri Hill It is considered to be the world’s largest monolithic stone statue. Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is covered with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. he next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018.
Kundadri : In the Western Ghats, Kundadri’s 17th century Jain temple is said to be the Samadhi of "Param Pujay Acharya Kundkund Dev".
Moodabidri: This is a sacred Jain centre with 18 temples. The 15th century Chandranatha Basadi has circular pillars rich in carvings. The Thousand Pillars Temple (Saavira Kambada Basadi) has considerable religious and architectural importance. It also has Guru Basadi which houses the treasured Dhavala text. There are other Basadis, namely Ammanvara Basadi. Leppada Basadi, etc.
Karkala: Between Moodabidri and Karkala, a group of Jain temples are set around a stambha.
