Humcha, a small town in the Hosanagara Taluk of Shimoga District was an important Jain pilgrim centre from the 8th century to the 16th century. It had other names like Pombuchcha and Hombuja. It was also the capital of a minor ruling dynasty, the Santaras. There are many basadis in Humcha and the largest among them is the Panchakuta Basadi built in 1077 by Chattaladevi.
Lakkundi is full of ruined temples and tanks, a few of which have been restored and maintained by the ASI. Lakkundi has temples and inscriptions spread over the period of Kalyani Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Sevunas and Hoysalas.
There are many more monuments in Lakshmeshwar, that are steeped in history, but are completely ruined or lost in the midst of a growing town. Still Lakshmeshwar, the land of art and literature, retains the essence of Karnataka’s heritage. It is the cradle of Jainism, Hinduism and Islam, the three major religions that flourished in Karnataka and shaped its history, and these structures stand as a testament to the co-existence of cultures.
Nestled amidst green pastures and sandalwood trees, sitting atop the Kanakagiri hill is an ancient Jain temple. The temple, dedicated to Bhagwan Parshwanatha was built by the kings of the Ganga Dynasty in the 5th or 6th century. Kings of later dynasties such as the Hoysala, Vijanagara and Wodeyar also patronised this temple. It is…
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