Moodabidri (Mangalore District, Karnataka), November 30, 2013: Dhavalatraya Jainakashi Trust (Regd.), and Swastishri P. U. College, Moodbidri jointly organized a Workshop on the history and architecture of Thousand Pillar Basadi, Moodbidri for PUC students in the premises of the Basadi on Saturday, 30.11.2013 at 10.00 am. The workshop was inaugurated by Sri Abhayachandra Jain, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports by unveiling the curtains wrapped around one of the intricately carved pillars and wished the students all the best.
In his benedictory speech the Head of Sri Jain Mutt, His Holiness Swasthi Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pandithacharyavarya Swamiji said that the Thousand Pillar Basadi is a huge Jain temple exhibiting the richness of Indian culture. It is a centre radiating the message of peace to the world and was built at the behest and guidance of the Moodbidri Jain Peetha. The Jain idols here exhort us to represent the lofty ideals of humanity. The sculptures open out a grand view of art. The pillars silently tell history. The sculptures and edicts in the Basadi inform us how the rich merchants, landlords, common people and folklorists lived a life of harmony and sculpted more than 200 intricate carvings between 1430 and 1496. The merchants in and around Moodbidri had established trade relations with the entire world. His Holiness said that students must develop love for such historical monuments and increase their historical, cultural and literary awareness and urged them to make good use of the workshop by actively interacting with the resource persons. His Holiness exhorted them to become ideal students and good citizens.
Patnashetty Sri Sudesh Kumar was the chief guest. More than 85 students participated in the workshop. They were divided into teams and set to study sections of the Basadi. Dr Umanatha Shenoy, Head of the Department of History, SDM College, Ujire, Dr S. P. Vidya Kumar, Prof. Ajit Prasad, Dr Pundikai Ganapayya Bhat, Madhukar Salyan and Prabhat Kumar participated as resource persons. Students from Siddhakatte, Mulky, Yedapadav and Moodbidri attended the workshop with their teachers and made this programme a success. His Holiness blessed Sri Mahaveer Jain and the students. Sri P. Anantaraj Indra, Principal of Swastishri P. U. College conducted the program. The correspondent of the College, Sri Raghuveer Mudya, welcomed the participants. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service