Digambara Jain Temples at Indi
Indi, a prominent taluk centre in Vijayapura district of Karnataka, is home to two Jain temples that preserve important examples of Jain religious art, architecture and worship. The town’s Jain heritage is represented by the historic Bhagavān Ādinātha Digambara Jain Temple and the Ratnatraya Basadi, dedicated to Bhagavān Mahāvīra.
Bhagawān Ādinātha Digambara Jain Temple
Among the two Jain temples at Indi, the Bhagavān Ādinātha Digambara Jain Temple is the older. The temple was constructed in 1642 CE, making it an important monument in the later history of Jainism in northern Karnataka.
The principal deity is a stone image of Tīrthaṅkara Ādinātha (Ṛṣabhanātha) seated in padmāsana. The image is particularly noteworthy for its associated representation of the Caturviṃśati Tīrthaṅkaras, making it a distinctive example of Jain iconography.
The temple houses several other Jain images of historical and artistic significance. Among these are two images of Tīrthaṅkara Pārśvanātha in kāyotsarga, an ancient tri-tīrthika image depicting three Tīrthaṅkaras in kāyotsarga, and several other Digambara Jain images.
According to local tradition, the principal image was saved from destruction during the period of the Bijapur Sultanate and subsequently installed at the present temple. The survival of this image, together with the other Jain sculptures preserved here, adds to the historical significance of the temple.
The Ādinātha temple is therefore important both as a place of worship and as a repository of Jain sculptural heritage. Its distinctive Ādinātha image and collection of Tīrthaṅkara sculptures make it a noteworthy site for the study of Jain iconography and the history of Jainism in the Vijayapura region.
Main Deity: Tīrthaṅkara Ādinātha (Ṛṣabhanātha), represented by a stone image seated in padmāsana.
Ratnatraya Basadi
The second Jain temple at Indi is known as the Ratnatraya Basadi and is dedicated to Bhagavān Mahāvīra, the 24th Tīrthaṅkara of Jainism. The exact date of its original construction is not known.
The principal deity is a stone image of Tīrthaṅkara Mahāvīra seated in padmāsana. The temple has traditionally been associated with the Shah family, who have been connected with its maintenance and religious activities.
The temple underwent renovation in 1990. Despite its later renovation, the Ratnatraya Basadi continues to represent the religious continuity of the Jain community at Indi and forms an important part of the town’s Jain heritage.
The temple, dedicated to Mahāvīra, complements the older Ādinātha temple and demonstrates the continued presence of Digambara Jain traditions at Indi.
Main Deity: Tīrthaṅkara Mahāvīra, represented by a stone image seated in padmāsana.
Indi and Its Jain Heritage
The two Jain temples of Indi preserve important aspects of the town’s Jain religious and cultural heritage. The 17th-century Ādinātha temple is particularly significant for its distinctive Tīrthaṅkara imagery and collection of Jain sculptures, while the Ratnatraya Basadi represents the continuing worship and traditions of the Jain community.
Together, the temples form part of the wider network of Jain heritage sites of northern Karnataka and provide valuable evidence for understanding the continuity of Jain religious traditions in the Vijayapura region.
How to Reach
Indi is situated approximately 51 km from Vijayapura, the district headquarters of Vijayapura district. The town has good transport connectivity with Vijayapura and other parts of Karnataka.
The Indi Railway Station is located approximately 6 km southeast of the town, providing convenient rail access for visitors.
Indi’s two Jain temples offer visitors an opportunity to explore an important but relatively lesser-known aspect of the Jain heritage of northern Karnataka.