Thousand Pillars Jain Temple, Mangalore

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India/Karnataka /Dakshina Kannada /Moodbidri

Thousand Pillars Temple is a Jain temple in Moodbidri that is located in the Dakshina Kannada district. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Thousand Pillars Jain Temple is dedicated to Shri Chandranath, a Jain saint. The temple is intricately carved and has Nepalese style of architecture. Around 560 years old, the temple has its history carved on its walls and pillars. Pillars of the temple contain some fine carvings. Episodes from the life of Jain theerthankaras, Lord Krishna, Lord Shri Rama are the subject of most of the carvings. Moodabidri was also an important trading center during 15th century. Figures of giraffe and dragon carved in the temple, provide ample proofs for that and indicate ties with Africa and China. Ceilings of the temple also have some beautiful carvings. Also, one can see stone inscriptions in Halegannada (old form of Kannada). In front of the temple, there is maana sthambha which is a monolithic pillar and dhvaja sthambha, seen also in Hindu temples. Roofs of the temple which are red in colour, reminded me those of the Buddhist monasteries.

Thousand Pillars Jain Temple, Mangalore

HistoryEdit

Thousand Pillars Jain Temple was built in 1430 AD. It was built during the Vijayanagara period, so it carries the distinctive marks of Vijayanagara architecture. At the entrance is a huge monolithic pillar called Maanasthamba. There is also a Dhwajasthamba or flag pillar as in Hindu Temples. This temple has a magnificent open pillared hall and the pillars and walls have beautiful carvings. Each pillar carries a different carving. Strangely, there are even figures of giraffes and dragons, perhaps the influence of ties with Africa and China.

Must SeeEdit

Attraction

Visiting TimeEdit

6.00 AM – 7.00 PM

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

September to February.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1 to 2 hours.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : White Ambassador Cabs/Indicas are available: usually used by passengers on long-haul routes. Shared cabs are also available for travel between the city and other talukas viz. Bantwal (BC Road), etc. Prepaid cabs are available from the airport to the city: this is generally at a flat rate of ₹350-400. You can also call Cel Cabs and they will pick you up in 20 minutes from wherever you are. You can hold it for a day or a few hours. You can reach them on 60609090.

Bus : There are Three bus stands in Mangalore for long-distance bus services. One is the state-run KSRTC bus-stand in Bejai, located towards the North of the city, but not far off from the city centre. The bus-services are run by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. Services run by the Kerala State Transport and Tamil Nadu State Transport and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation also call in Mangalore at this very bus-stand. The other one is behind the Town Hall. It is known as the ‘State Bank’ stand by the locals, because of its proximity to a branch of the State Bank of India. It is the last stop for most of the private bus services to Mangalore (mostly Inter-District viz. Mangalore-Udupi and Inter-taluk buses).
There is a third bus-stand (not exactly a bus-stand but an alighting point for passengers) in front of Milagres Church where most private tour and bus operators: Ideal Travels, Canara, Canara-Pinto, Vishal Travels, Anand Travels, VRL etc. have their offices.

Train : Mangalore has two major railway stations. First is Mangalore Central (IR station code : MAQ) is located at Hampankatta, in the heart of the city. It is a terminus and is used only by the trains which terminate at Mangalore. And second is Mangalore Junction (IR station code : MAJN) is situated in Kankanady, about 5 km from the city centre. Most long-distance trains and all trains not terminating at Mangalore stop at this station. Use Mangalore Central Station whenever possible as there is a prepaid rickshaw counter there. Autorickshaw drivers at Mangalore Junction rip people off.

Air : Mangalore International Airport, Bajpe, about 20 km from the city centre. Air India, Jet Airways, Spicejet, and Air India Express currently operate flights to Mangalore. From airport taxies, autorickshaws and buses are availble to reach the destination.

Others : By Autorickshaws : Autorickshaws are available all throughout Mangalore City, the starting fare is ₹25. Pre-paid autos were available from the City Railway Station and the KSRTC bus stand at Bejai, but not any more. Autos also ply to far-off destinations, the outskirts, for one-and-a-half times the actual fare; this is roughly around ₹150.