Jain Center of Haduvalli

by Dr. Jyotsna Kamat
First Online: July 16, 2005
Page Last Updated: August 20, 2024

The village of Haduvalli (a.k.a. Hadvalli and Hadolli) in Bhatkal Taluka of North Kanara district of Karnataka state is today a quiet and desolate place. The population consists of hardly four hundred individuals. But it had seen better times, centuries ago. Called as "Sangitapura" in inscriptions, it was a second capital of the Saluvas or Salvas of Gersoppa. It was a Jaina cultural center as well. Perhaps, devotional music (Bhajans) recitation and singing of devotional songs was a fashion in the olden times. Hence Haduvalli became Sangitapura, Bilgi became Sudhapura and Gersoppa became Bhallatakipura. Geru fruit Bhallataki (Semicarpus anacardium) and soppu (leaves) in Kannada gave the place, its Kannada name. Bhallataki is Sanskrit.

Bereft of all past glory, Haduvalli is today still a solemn and impressive village. The Padmavati temple is in possession of a family which has statues of twenty four Thirthankaras. They are carved in fine black polished stone, each over half a meter tall. All the statues have inscriptions wrought in very small letters. The temple looks like a house from outside. It is cleanly maintained. Regular puja (worship) takes place everyday.

There are besides images of Yakshi Padmavati, Jaina Saraswati and also a bronze statue of Anantanatha Teerthankara.

For lack of funds, no amenities could be provided for lighting or trained guide. The owner was kind and courteous enough to take us around, briefing of his efforts in approaching the Government for monetary help. He could not succeed. Jaina donors have made occasional grants, which are hardly enough for maintenance.

K.L. Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri

Top Strata of a Hero-stone from Sangeetapura
Also known as Haduvalli and Hadolli, this village has beautiful Jain sculptures

All the statues and idols belong to fifteenth century. In the same compound there is a small Basadi with seated Parshwanatha. A small shrine of Thirthankara Chandranatha in white marble gets puja. There are two hero-stones at the entrance of the basadi.

There are two hillocks and named after Chandragiri and Indragiri after the famous hills of Sravanabelagola. There are broken Nishidi stones. Indragiri has two footprints inscribed on stone and on Chandragiri is a small basadi (basati) with no shrine.

See Also:

• Jain Monuments -- A survey of Jain monuments scattered all over the state of Karnataka.
• Jain Center of Sravanabelagola
• Rural India