Moodabidri (also Mudbidri), is occasionally referred to as the Jaina Kashi of South India. In all we can find 18 Jain temples at Moodabidri. With most of these temples being situated near the Jain Matha. This matha has Sri Charukeerthy Bhattarakha Swami as the chief pontiff.It has an information office for pilgrims and tourists, a dharmshala for about a hundred pilgrims and some guest-houses. Overseas visitors are welcome. Moodabidri is famous for its many old manuscripts and treasures of Jaina sculptures. The Siddantha Darshana that is available to the pilgrims is very impressive where in we can find many Rare Jain idols. The various temples at Moodabidri are:
1.Tribhuvana tilaka Chudamani or 1008 pillars temple - This temple has the panchaloha (5 metals) idol of bhagawan Chandranatha in the kayotsarga posture. This construction work of this temple is said to have been completed on the 29th of September 1430. It is being completely built of stone with its outer surface covered completely with copper. This temple is being constructed with 1008 pillars hence called as 1008 pillars temple or Savira Kambada Basadi in Kannada.
2.Guru basadi - This temple has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Parshwanatha in the kayotsarga as the main deity. This temple is said to have been constructed in the year A.D. 714. It is being completely built of stone with its outer surface covered completely with copper.
3.Kotishetty Basadi - This temple being completely built of stone is said to have been built during the 15th century. It has the black coloured idol idol of Bhagawan Neminatha in the kayotsarga posture as the main deity.
4. Vikrmashetty Basadi - This temple has the idol of Bhagawan Adinatha as the main deity in the padmasana. It is said to have been built in the 14th century.
5.Leppada Basadi - This temple is said to have been built during the 14th century. It has the idol of Bhagawan Chandranatha in the padmasana as the main deity. We can also find the idol of goddess Jwalamalini in this temple.
6. Kallu Basadi - This temple built during the 15th century has the white coloured idol of Bhagawan Sheetalanatha in the kayotsarga.
7.Devarajashetty Basadi - This temple has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Mallinatha in the padmasana and was built during the 16th century.
8. Jolashetty Basadi - This temple built during the 16th century has the idol of bhagawan Padmaprabhu in the padmasana.
9.Mahadeva Shetty Basadi - This temple has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Adinatha in the kayotsarga and was built during the 16th century.
10.Baikanatikaara Basadi - This temple built during the 16th century has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Ananthanatha in kayotsarga.
11.Kerebasadi - This temple has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Mallinatha in the kayotsarga and is said to have been built during the 16th century.
12.Shettara Basadi - This temple is said to have been built during the 16th century and has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Mahavira in the kayotsarga.
13.Badaga Basadi - TThis temple has the white coloured idol of Bhagawan Chandranatha in the kayotsarga as the main deity and is said to have been built during the 16th century.
14.Padu Basadi This temple has the black coloured idol of Bhagawan Ananthanatha in the kayotsarga and is said to have been built during the 13th century.
15.Bettakeri Basadi - This temple has the white coloured idol of Bhagawan Mahavira in the padmasana and is said t have been built during the 14th century.
16.Hire Basadi - This temple built during the 14th century has the black idol of Bhagawan Shanthinatha in kayotsarga.
17.Patashale Basadi - This temple has the idol of Bhagawan Munisuvrata as the main deity and is said to have been built during the 18th century.
18.Matada Basadi - This temple built during the 16th century has the black idol of Bhagawan Parshwanatha in the kayotsarga as the main deity.
Guidance - The nearest railway station of Mangalore is at a distance of 35 kilometers and 20 Kms from Venoor. Bus service and private vehicles are available. There are board and lodging provisions.
Moodabidri (also called Mudabidri), an ancient center of Jain learning, is a small town about 37 km northeast of Mangalore, in Karnataka. It is situated at a beautiful spot in the midst of hills. Moodabidri was a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture during 14th - 16th centuries. It is famous as the "Jaina Kashi" of the South. It is sanctified by the stay of great saints and poets. Jains from all parts of India come here to worship in the famous 18 Jaina basadis that are dedicated to the memory of the Tirthankaras.
Moodabidri witnessed an unprecedented growth as a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture during 14th to 16th centuries and more than 18 Jain temples, known as Basadis, were constructed during this period. The most famous among them are Guru basadi, Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi and Ammanavara Basadi.
The Guru basadi is believed to be the earliest of the Jain monuments of this place (714 AD). It is also called the Siddhantha Basadi and Hale (Old) Basadi. Lord Parshwanatha the 23rd Thirthankar of Jainism is the presiding deity of this temple. A beautiful stone idol of Parshwanatha, about 3.5 metres tall, is installed in the sanctum of this basadi.It is in this basadi that the rare Jain palm leaf manuscripts of 12th century A.D. known as ‘Dhavala texts’ were discovered.
The Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani basadi is the largest of its kind in coastal Karnataka and is considered to be the most ornate of the Jain temples of this region. Due to the large number and variety of pillars in this basadi it is known as Thousand pillared temple (Savira Kambada Basadi). The Jain tombs and Nyaya basadi at Kodangallu, in the outskirts of Moodabidri are movements of great historical interest.
This is a huge granite construction originally built in 1430 A.D and was completed in three stages. The 2.5 metres tall bronze image of Lord Chandranatha Swami housed in the sanctum of this basadi is considered to be an image of utmost importance in Jainism. This huge, three storied movement was constructed by the collective effects of the rulers, the Jain Swamiji, merchants and also the common people by this ancient city. The most beautiful part of this temple is the open pillared hall in front, consisting by a rich variety of ornate pillars. The pillars and the roof this open hall are decorated with beautiful and minute carvings typical of Vijayanagara style. The 15-meter tall freestanding single stone pillar called manasthambha in front of the basadi, is indeed a beautiful art.
Moodabidri was a centre of Jain literature too. Ratnakara Varni, the doyen of medieval Kannada literature and the author of Bharatesha Vaibhava belonged to this place. The famous Jain canonical texts known as Dhavala texts and also a number of palm leaf manuscripts of immense literacy value are in the possession of the Jain monastery here. During Mughal assaults, the old Jain texts were shifted from Shravanabelagola to the safer Moodbidri. Rediscovered in the 1800s, these Moodbidri Manuscripts — Prakrit texts copied in old Hale-kannada script, with pinpricks on palm leaves — are revered as the oldest (scribed circa 1,060 A.D.) written materials of the tradition going back to Arihant. The collection of 3 ancient manuscripts: Dhavala, Jayadhavala and Mahadhavala, collectively called the "Siddhanta" in Digambara tradition. For many centuries, the only copy of the Siddhanta was this collection.
TMoodabidri was also the seat of the Chowta’s, a local Jain ruling family, who were originally ruling from Puthige, a village about 5 km from here. This area was ruled by the Jain Chautar dynasty for about 700 years. Their descendants still live in an old palace. They shifted their capital to Moodabidri in the 17th century, where they constructed a palace, the remains of which can still be seen. Moodabidri still maintains its old charm as an important Jain centre coastal Karnataka. The city has a large population of Jains who keep the spirit of Jainism still alive. Many Jain festivals are also being celebrated here throughout the year. Moodabidri continues to the most sought after pilgrimage centre of the Jains from all over country.
The Jain Math at Moodabadri is headed by a Bhattaraka belonging to the Mula Sangh order. At Mudabidri, there are some remarkable monuments to late Bhattarakas. These monuments, Nishadhikas in Sanskrit, are shaped like pyramidical stupas. The name "Charukirti" and the title "Panditacharya" is still borne by the Bhattarakas of Shravanbelgola and Mudabidri. The 31st occupant of the Shravanbelgola throne composed "Jainacharya Parampara Mahima" preserving the oral tradition of the order.
Moodbidri which is one of the largest Jain pilgrimage centres in the world is now in a shambles. The city's culture -rich temple, the Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani, popularly known as the 1000-pillar Basadi, is gradually beginning to lose its charm. The temple, built in 1430, is now a sorry sight, with its crumbling walls and damaged roofs. This is due to the highway traffic and mining in the vicinity. In fact a part of the temple complex also fell off recently. The three-storey temple complex is managed by a private trust called Dhavala Thraya Trust under the Jain Mutt of Moodbidri. The trust is facing financial difficulties and unable to maintain the temple. Swamiji of Jain Mutt Bhattaraka Charukirti Panditacharyavarya is observing the damage but for the shortage of funds unable to carryout the necessary maintenance. He says that appeal to the government regarding mining and traffic problems is not responded. In spite of the fact that local MLA is a Jain community member nothing is happening.
Moodabidri is a quiet little town in the Mangalore district of Karnataka State of South India. It is 35 Kms northeast from Mangalore. It is situated on the National Highway 13 in Mangalore-Karkala road.
Nearest Railway station is Mangalore, 35 Kms from Moodabidri.
Nearest Airport is Mangalore (Bajpe) Airport situated 30 kms from Moodabidri.
Moodbidri is on National Highway 169 (old NH 13). It is accessible from Mangalore (34 km away) by bus. Mangalore Airport is 23 km away from Moodbidri.
Road Route:The nearest bus stop is- Bhagalpur.
Rail Route: The nearest railway station stop is- Nath Nagar. Bus, taxis and tanga are available from here to the tirth.Other rail informations are provided below: