Saavira Kambada Basadi, Jain temple in Moodabidri, India
Saavira Kambada Basadi is a Jain temple in Dakshina Kannada district with three floors built from stone at the base and wood in the upper sections. Numerous pillars throughout the building display intricate hand-carved designs that decorate every corner of the space.
Construction of the temple started in 1430 under the direction of local leader Devaraya Wodeyar and took 31 years to finish. The structure underwent restoration and modifications in 1962 to maintain and update its condition.
The temple serves as the main religious center in Moodabidri, where visitors find an eight-foot statue of Chandraprabha, the eighth Jain saint, in a place of honor. The carved pillars and decorated spaces reflect how the community has honored this site for centuries.
The temple is open daily from morning to evening, with free entry for all visitors. Most visits last around two hours, which gives enough time to walk through the three floors and admire the carved details.
The pillars feature carved images of dragons and giraffes, suggesting trade contacts with China during the 1400s when the temple was built. These unusual animal designs are uncommon in Indian temples of that era and offer a window into the region's far-reaching connections.
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