Kanakagiri - Jain Heritage Centre

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Kanakagiri - This is an important Jain heritage centre. Kanakagiri, situated at a distance of about 53 kilometers away from Mysore, bears a very ancient history in the map of India in general and Karnataka in particular. It is described in the ancient works as Hemanga Desha and to where Bhagawan Sri Mahavira (the 23rd Tirthankara of the Jain religion) visited the place in his sojourn or Sri Vihara in South India. The samavasarana (the religious discourse given by a Jain Tirthankara) is said to have been held here!
Jainism flourished well in this place for centuries and a big temple belonging to Sri Adinatha is found as a testimony in the heart of Maleyuru (a village situated at a distance of 3 Kms from Kanakagiri). The main principle of non violence is practiced immensely by the people living here.
Kanakagiri as a Siddakshetra - Kanakagiri is referred to as the only Jaina Siddaskhetra (the place of salvation of the Jain ascetics) in south India.
Antiquity of Kanakagiri - The inscriptions, engravings of footprints, samadhi mantapas and nishadi caves throw much light on the heritage of the place. These stand as an edifice to the antiquity of the place and also the gamut of Jaina saints who lived here. Furthermore these also reflect the extent and depth of religious importance in an impressive manner.
Pujyapadacharya - Pujyapadacharya was an unique personality among the Jaina ascetics and whose achievements were unbounded. His name is personified with Kanakagiri. It was the abode of Acharya Pujyapada as already cited above and who had a celestial power of contemplating with Sri Srimandaraswamy of Videhakshetra. He inspired Nagarjuna to install the sacred footprints of twenty four prophets and finally attained nirvana. Pujyapada has written Sarvartha Siddhi, Dashabakthi, Samadhi Shataka, Ishtopadesha and Jainendra Vyakarana. He was a great exponent in Ayurvedic Medicine and has remained immortal in this context. He lived in the 5th century and consecrated the place with sanctity.
Ancient Jain Temple and the Royal Heritage - The main temple situated atop the hill belongs to Bhagawan Sri Parshwanatha who constitutes the main deity of the temple in Kayotsarga. Lord Parshwanatha was worshiped by Hoysala kings. Goddess Sri Padmavathidevi has blessed the place. The kings of the Ganga dyansty is said to have built this temple in the 5-6th century. The Hoysala Kings worshipped Bhagawan Parshwanatha before proceeding to war and is said to have been won these wars against all odds and thus described Sri Parshwanatha Swamy as Sri Vijaya Parshwanatha Swamy.
Architect of Resurrection of Kanakagiri - Pujya Sri Chandrasagara Muni had chosen Kanakagiri for his penance and worship is the last century. He resurrected the place with 24 Jinakutas and also construed the steps to the hill. He awakened the people for charity and developed the place with modern facilities.
Relief from Kalasarpa Dosha - Kanakagiri is the only place among the Jain centres providing relief to the ill effects of Rahu & Ketu as described in the Jaina heritage i.e. Kalasarpadosha. It is also mentioned in the Jaina classics. It is interesting to note that the idols of Sri Amra Kushmandini, Sri Nagadevate and Sri Padmavathi Goddesses are placed opposite to each other. These bring peace and tranquility amongst the devotees. The Jains and also non Jains visit the place seeking relief from Rahu Ketu dosha. Queen Deverammanni of Mysore royal family once suffered with Kalasarpadosha and found relief on worshipping the Goddesses here. Hence she bestowed the place with the idol of hood of snake bearing Dharanendra and Padmavathi figures.
Jain Muth - Kanakagiri is being managed by a Jain monastery(Muth). The names of many Jain saints are incarnated with this place, as they regarded the place as abode of achievements and pursuance. The Jain Muth came to existence in the light of these Jain saints.
His Holiness Swastisri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakh Swamiji - His Holiness Swastisri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakh Swamiji is the present pontiff heading Sri Kshetra Kanakagiri Peetha (Muth) which is known as the unique 'siddakshetra' of South India. He possesses a great patronage for the religion and erudition of knowledge. He has studied immensely the path of Jaina religion. His sphere of knowledge in Sanskrit, Hindi and religious studies are of high order. He is an erudite scholar and a studied Sanskrit, Prakrit and Hindi literature in Jainism [M.A. (Sanskrit), Mysore University; Acharya (Prakrit & Jain Agama), Varanasi]. He obtained the Shastri graduation in Sri Varni Digambar Jain Gurukula, Jabalpur, M.P.. Further he also possesses vast knowledge in Astrology. He is an eloquent speaker in various languages. His sense of devotion, spirit preaching, depth of knowledge and veritable sacrifice are well known. His lectures on various religious deliberations are much appreciated by the men of letters and the common folk alike. He is well known for various social welfare activities. His aceademic activities blended with admirable religious schemes for propagation of the religion has drawn considerable attention of the people. He has evinced keen interest in developing the Sri Kshetra Kanakagiri in leaps and bounds and thus establishing the place as centre of Jaina pilgrimage, study and scholarship. He has undertaken many constructive measures in the Sri Kshetra to facilitate the abounding number of pilgrims visiting the centre. The Muth is always found in the forefront for the welfare of humanity. He has created awareness amongst the people regarding the glory of Jainism. The Muth is known for providing religious and social education in the Pujyapada Vidyapeetha installed by the Swamiji. He has traveled far and wide and acquired veritable knowledge of Jaina relics of the past. His message of Jina has pervaded the thoughts, moods and memories of the devotees and paved the way for leading a useful life. Sri Kshetra has found a remarkable improvement after the advent of Swamiji in the place. It is worth to note that Pujyapada Ayurveda Hospital, the brain child of Swamiji has helped the poor and needy. He is a great dreamer with visionary outlook. He has intended to establish a research centre of Ayurveda in memory of Acharya. Furthermore, he has decided to incorporate a botanical garden with medicinal plants and herbs in order to promote Ayurvedic Medical Science.
At present the Muth is running the educational institutions in Mysore and Chamarajanagar imparting education to the poor and downtrodden children. Home for the deserted children at Mysore is unique in its character as it is the only institution of that kind initiated by the Jain Community.
The Swamiji is a beacon limelight for the philanthropic upliftment of the people at large.

Nitin H.P., Mysore

For more information on Kanakagiri visit the site www.kankagiri.org