Varanga Jain Temple

Introduction to Varanga Jain Temple

Varanga Jain Temple is one of Karnataka's most unique and treasured temples. This ancient temple lies in the Varanga village, Hebri taluk, Udupi District, Karnataka. It is otherwise called Digambar Jain Temple or Lake Temple. The Varanga Jain Temple lies in the middle of a beautiful lake with lush green trees as a backdrop, and visitors can reach it only by boat.

Legend of Varanga Jain Temple

The legend associated with the Varanga Jain Temple says a Jain king named Janna and his queen Padmavati were ruling over the region. One day, while hunting in the forest, the king heard the voice of Parshwanatha. He asked the king to build a temple on an island nearby. The king built the temple as per the instructions. It has now become a place of worship for the Jain community.

The Architecture of Varanga Jain Temple

Varanga has three Basadis, which are all close to each other. They are the Neminatha Basadi (1200 years old), Chandranatha Basadi (1000 years old), also known as Mathada Basadi (a monastery), and the 850-year-old Parshwanatha Basadi (also known as the Chaturmukha Basadi, Kere Basadi) beautifully situated on a lake full of water lilies.

The temple looks like a regular home with sloping roofs from a distance. Only when one goes closer does one realize that the temple walls are made of marble. There are no intricate carvings on the walls. The temple courtyard is of plain granite. However, the temple doors have a beautiful look. They reflect typical Jain temples with gold or silver embossed work. The large marble tiles surrounding the outer wall and the modern tiled roofing provide a modern look to the temple. The pitched roofing above the central section has a Kalasha on its top.

The Lake Temple of Varanga is known as the Kere Basadi (Lake Temple in Kannada). It is dedicated to the Jain deity Parshwanatha. This temple is also known as Chaturmukha Basadi. It means a four-faced symmetrical Jain temple. This is like the Aane Kere Basadi (Elephant Lake Temple) of Karkala, another Chaturmukha temple in the middle of a lake. However, visitors can reach the Varanga Jain Temple only by boat, unlike the temple in Karkala, which has a pathway to reach the temple. The queen of King Kulashekhara, who reigned between 1160 and 1220 CE, excavated this artificial lake.

The Varanga Jain Temple has four images in four directions facing North, South, East, and West. Parshwanatha, Neminath (Aristanemi), Ananthanath, and Shantinath are the images of the four Tirthankaras. The Kalla Basadi is an ancient stone monument on the way to Kere Basadi. It is also known as the Black Temple because of its black granite construction.

The 23rd Tirthankara, Shri Parshwanatha, is the main deity with the hooded cobra over him. The other three deities around the column include Neminath, Ananthanath, and Shantinath. All the idols are perfectly aligned to allow the light from the opposite side to pass between the gaps. Devotees can move from one shrine to the other through a narrow gap. The shrines are quite small. Only 5 to 6 people can fit into them.

Like other Chaturmukha Basadis, the Jain deities' images are installed here. Each faces different entrances and directions. Parshwanatha, Ananthanath, Shantinath, and Neminath images are in the Kayotsarga posture. Visitors can find an image of Parshwanath's Yakshi, Padmavati, installed before it. Padmavati, a serpent deity, is upon the head of Parshwanatha.

Festivals in Varanga Jain Temple

Rath Utsav, or the chariot festival, Mahavir Jayanti, Navratri, Paryushana Parva, Mahamastakabisheka, and Diwali are the main festivals in Varanga Jain Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at Varanga Jain Temple

The devotees believe that performing the rituals here brings good luck and prosperity. They firmly believe that visiting the temple before starting anything gives success. Young couples visit here before their marriage.