Jai Jinendra ,

SIXTEENTH CENTURY JAIN BASADI RENOVATED

Mangalore: The “Chowta Rani Ullal Abbakkadevi Basadi”, a place of worship for Jains, has now been renovated. It is said to be more than 500 years old. The basadi, with artistically carved statues of “Parshwanatha” and “Adinatha”, had remained unknown to the people for several decades. Despite that, the stone structure of the sanctum has weathered the vagaries of nature. Situated close to the Arabian Sea and Ullal’s market, the basadi is said to have been built by the Banga dynasty in the 16th century. Jains believe that Abbakka Rani used to offer prayers at the basadi. With the extinction of this dynasty, it is said to have been abandoned by the people. M. N. Rajendra Kumar, president of a committee formed for the renovation of the basadi, said that earlier attempts to bring back the glory of the basadi had failed. The Dharmadhikari of Srikshetra Dharmasthala, Veerendra Heggade, took the initiative to renovate it. The committee took up the construction of a walkway around the basadi and “Kshetrapala” temple, and structures in its exterior, with funds raised from people. Addressing presspersons he said that the first panchakalyana mahotsav would be performed under the leadership of Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Mahaswamiji of Jain Math of Moodbidri. Several religious leaders are expected to participate in the programme.