Kamal Basadi – Belgaum

About

This temple is named as the Kamal Basadi Belgaum since the tower of the temple depicts kamal (lotus) with 72 petals, which presently displays images of the past 24 Tirthankaras but can also depict the present and future Tirthankaras and is one of the Jain temples located inside the Belgaum Fort, Karnataka. The temple is famous for the Neminatha idol in black stone. The temple was built in 1204 AD. The other Jain temple is called as the Chikki Basadi, however,

the temple is currently in ruins. Other than the Neminatha idol, Kamal Basadi houses idols of Bhagwan Sumatinath in the kayotsarga posture, Bhagwan Parshvanath under the shade of seven-hooded serpent (Nagaraj), Bhagwan Adinath in the padmasana posture and the Navagraha. The temple was renovated in 1996. At present, the temple is under the administration of Archaeological Department.

It was built in the Chalukyan style of architecture. The Mukhamantapa of this temple has a neatly depicted lotus carving projecting from the ceiling. The mantapa is accessed through a number of steps partly enclosed by a balustrade with a large dome of great beauty. The roof is decorated with lotus flowers designed in concave shape, spaced at 1-foot intervals (30 cm), arranged in concentric circles in decreasing layers and depicting a central blossom of the lotus.

The lotus pendant is covered by a large roof in pyramidal shape. The pillars that support the roof with the lotus pendant are founded on plinths. Some pillars made of black basaltic stones are highly polished. The pillars of the temple are well carved with decorations and neatly polished.