Mudabidri (Moodabidri) also called Mudbidri

Mudabidri (Moodabidri) also called Mudbidri , an ancient center of Jain learning, is a small town 37 km northeast of the Dakshin Kannada district headquarters, Mangalore , in Karnataka , India . Its average elevation is 147 metres (482 feet).

History

During 14th - 16th centuries this town emerged as a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture. 18 Jain temples, snown as Basadis , were constructed during this period. The Jain Math at Moodabadri is headed by a Bhattaraka belonging to the Mula Sangh order.

The most famous among them are Guru basadi, Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi and Ammanavara Basadi.

Guru basadi the earliest of the Jain monuments. A beautiful stone idol of Parshwanatha, about 3.5 metres tall, is installed in the sanctum of this basadi. Here the rare Jain palm leaf manuscripts of 12th century A.D. known as ‘ Dhavala texts' are preserved.

Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani basadi is the largest and the most ornate of the Jain temples of this region. The common people also call this temple as Thousand pillared temple (Savira Kambada Basadi) . This is a large granite temple built in 1430 A.D. The 2.5 metres tall bronze image of Lord Chandranatha Swami in the sanctum of this basadi is considered to be very sacred. This three storied construction was supported by the rulers, the Jain Bhattaraka Swamiji, merchants and the common people. The temple is famous for the open pillared hall in front, consisting by a large variety of ornate pillars decorated with carvings typical of Vijayanagara style. A 15-meter tall single stone pillar called manastambha stands in front of the basadi.

Ratnakara Varni, the medieval Kannada author of Bharatesha Vaibhava belonged to this place. The famous Jain canonical texts known as Dhavala texts and also a number of palm leaf manuscripts of historical and literacy value are preserved in the Jain Math (monastery).

Moodabidri was the seat of the Chowtas , a Jain ruling family, who were originally located at Puthige, about 5 km from here. They moved their capital to Moodabidri in the 17th century. The remains of the 17th century Chowta Palace is known for its beautifully carved wooden pillars and ceilings.

There are beautiful images of Jain Trirthankar, Yakshas and Yakshis in every Jain basadi of Moodabidri. The stucco images in the Leppada basadi and Ammanavara Basadi are magnificent. The other basadis at Moodabidri are the following :

(1) Badaga basadi	(2) Shettara basadi
(3) Hire basadi	(4) Betkeri basadi
(5) Koti basadi	(6) Vikrama Shetti basadi
(7) Kallu basadi	(8) Leppada basadi
(9) Deramma Shetti basadi	(10) Chola Shetti basadi
(11) Maday Shetti basadi	(l2) Baikanatikari basadi
(13) Kere basadi	(14) Padu basadi
(15) Shri Mathada basadi	(16) Jaina Pathashaleya basadi, ete.

Nagagala Devi, the queen of Bhairava Raja, erected the Manastambha, a huge monolith of a height of 50 feet, in front of the basadi.

Moodabidri was a centre of Jain literature too. Ratnakara Varni, the doyen of medieval Kannada literature and the author of Bharatesha Vaibhava belonged to this place. The famous Jain canonical texts known as Dhavala texts and also a number of palm leaf manuscripts of immense literacy value are in the possession of the Jain monastery here. During Mughal assaults, the old Jain texts were shifted from Shravanabelagola to the safer Moodbidri. Rediscovered in the 1800s, these Moodbidri Manuscripts — Prakrit texts copied in old Hale-kannada script, with pinpricks on palm leaves — are revered as the oldest (scribed circa 1,060 A.D.) written materials of the tradition going back to Arihant. The collection of 3 ancient manuscripts: Dhavala, Jayadhavala and Mahadhavala, collectively called the "Siddhanta" in Digambara tradition. For many centuries, the only copy of the Siddhanta was this collection.
Moodabidri was also the seat of the Chowta's, a local Jain ruling family, who were originally ruling from Puthige, a village about 5 km from here. This area was ruled by the Jain Chautar dynasty for about 700 years. Their descendants still live in an old palace. They shifted their capital to Moodabidri in the 17th century, where they constructed a palace, the remains of which can still be seen. Moodabidri still maintains its old charm as an important Jain centre coastal Karnataka. The city has a large population of Jains who keep the spirit of Jainism still alive. Many Jain festivals are also being celebrated here throughout the year. Moodabidri continues to the most sought after pilgrimage centre of the Jains from all over country.
The Jain Math at Moodabadri is headed by a Bhattaraka belonging to the Mula Sangh order. At Mudabidri, there are some remarkable monuments to late Bhattarakas. These monuments, Nishadhikas in Sanskrit, are shaped like pyramidical stupas. The name "Charukirti" and the title "Panditacharya" is still borne by the Bhattarakas of Shravanbelgola and Mudabidri. The 31st occupant of the Shravanbelgola throne composed "Jainacharya Parampara Mahima" preserving the oral tradition of the order.

Distance:-	350 km from Bangalore. Mangalore- 35 km.
By Road: -	8 hours
By Rail: -	Nearest railway station - Mangalore.
By Air: -	Nearest Airport - Mangalore & Bangalore.
Route:-	Take NH48 to Mangalore via Kunigal, Yediyur, Hassan, Sakleshpur and Mani.
When to go:-	September to February would be ideal.
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Taj Manjarun Old Post Road, Bunder, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2420420 Fax: 0824-420585 Email:manjarun.mangalore@tajhotels.com Web site: www.tajhotels.com Tariff Range:Rs.1800/-to Rs.6000/ -+Tax For reservations, contact: Tel: 080-2255055 Summer Sands Beach Resort Chotamangalore, Ullal, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 159 Tel: 0824-2467690 Fax: 0824-467693 Tariff Range: Rs. 1600/- to Rs. 4649/- Email: summer@satyam.net.in Web site: www.summer-sands.com Hotel Poonja International K S Rao Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440171, 240176 Fax: 0824-2441081 Email:info@hotelpoonjainternational.com Website:www.hotelpoonjainternational.com Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs. 3000/- Hotel Indraprasta Nalapad Chamber, Light House HillRoad, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 574 001 Tel: 0824-2424757 Fax: 0824-2422463 Email: nalapad@vsnl.com Web site: www.nalapad.com Tariff Range: Rs. 650/- to Rs. 1750/-+Tax Hotel Sapthagiri International Kavoor, Airport Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 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575 003 Tel: 0824-2493681/ 84 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 1000/- Hotel Residency Park Attavar Road, Near Noor Masjid, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2448611 Tariff Range: Rs. 500/- to Rs.1000/- The Prestige Collector's Gate, Balmatta Junction, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 002 Tel: 0824-2410601/ 05 Fax: 0824-2443676 Email: theprestige@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 600/- to Rs. 900/- Hotel Dhanyawad Hampankatta Circle, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440066 Fax: 0824-2440069 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 900/-+Tax Hotel Woodlands Bunts Hostel Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 003 Tel: 0824-2443751 Tariff Range: Rs. 312/- to Rs. 870/-+Tax Hotel Kavitha Residency Urva Store, Suratkal Highway, Mangalore, DakshinaKannada - 575 006 Tel: 0824-2450381/84 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 775/-+Tax Hotel Shaan Plaza K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440312/19 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 750/-+Tax Hotel Srinivas Ganapathi High School Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440061, 2423302 Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 700/-+Tax Hotel Manorama K S Rao Road, Opposite Prabhat Talkies, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440306 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 700/- Hotel Rajdhani Milagres Cross Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2426767 Fax: 0824-2423631 Tariff Range: Rs. 165/- to Rs. 645/-+Tax Hotel Woodside K S Rao Road, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2440296 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Panchamahal No. 9-822, Kodialbail, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 003 Tel: 0824-2495574 Tariff Range: Rs. 260/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Aditya Boarding & Lodging Lakshmi Towers, NH 48, Uppinangadi, Dakshina Kannada - 574 241 Tel: 08251-251236 Fax: 08251-652336 Tariff Range: Rs. 120/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Roopa Balmatta Road, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada - 575 001 Tel: 0824-2421271, 72 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 600/- Sun Rock Holiday Resort Near Jamalabad Fort, Nada, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada - 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