Kamal Basadi, Jain temple inside Belgaum Fort, Karnataka, India
Kamal Basadi is a Jain temple located within Belgaum Fort, distinguished by an ornate central dome ceiling featuring a carved lotus with 72 petals radiating outward. The walls display detailed stone carvings including cobra motifs along structural brackets, while the entrance chamber ceiling shows decorative elements representing the eight cardinal directions.
The temple was commissioned in 1204 by Birchiraja, a military officer of the Ratta dynasty, and built under the guidance of the monk Subhachandrabhattarakadeva. This construction reflects the prominent role of Jainism in the region during the medieval period and demonstrates the architectural knowledge of that era.
The temple serves as a sacred space for Jain worship, with five separate shrine areas dedicated to different Tirthankara figures that guide visitors through their devotional practice. These chambers remain active places of prayer and reflect how communities have honored this site across centuries.
The temple sits within the walls of Belgaum Fort and can be reached through the main gateways that connect to the city's central streets. Visitors should take time to navigate the narrow passages and observe the surroundings to fully experience the historical setting.
The cobra carvings positioned along the structural brackets are carefully handcrafted details that reflect local artistic traditions and appear throughout regional architecture. These ornamental touches reveal the personal creativity of the artisans and often go unnoticed by visitors walking through the interior.
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