Mandaragiri, Jain temple complex in Tumkur taluk, India
Mandaragiri is a Jain temple complex in Tumkur taluk, India, spread across a rocky hillside and containing several shrines with carved figures and inscriptions. The site consists of open courtyards, narrow passageways and pillared halls set into the natural topography of the terrain.
The site dates back to the 16th century, when local patrons established the complex on a hill that had already served as a retreat for ascetics. Later rulers added inscriptions and extra shrines, allowing the compound to grow over the following centuries.
The name refers to Mount Mandara from Indian mythology, a reference that devotees invoke during their daily prayers. Pilgrims walk barefoot around the shrines and leave sandalwood paste on the footprints of the statues, a gesture of devotion that softly stains the reddish stone.
A paved road leads up from Tumkur, and parking is available at the foot of the hill for those arriving by private vehicle. The final steps to the site climb steeply, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
Some walls carry old Kannada inscriptions listing donations and names of patrons from the region, offering researchers a window into the local language of the medieval period. On clear days, the view from the summit reaches out to the distant hills around Tumkur, a perspective visitors often miss when focusing on the shrines.
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