It is one of the important Jain pilgrim centres of Karnataka known in ancient times as Hemanga Desha, According to 27 stone inscriptions found here, Bhagawan Mahavira once passed through this place during his journey to the south and held a Samavasharan Divya Sabha. Nestled amidst green pastures and sandalwood trees, sitting atop the Kanakagiri Hill is an ancient ParshwanathaJain temple. The temple was built by the kings of the Western Ganga Dynasty in the 5th or 6th century. Kings of later dynasties such as the Hoysala, Vijayanagara and Wadiyar also patronised this temple. It is believed that one king worshipped Bhagwan Parshwanatha here before proceeding to a war in which he was victorious and hence he named the deity, Vijaya Parshwanatha.
The main temple on the 350 steps hillock is enclosed in a fort, has four main parts, namely, the mukhamantapa, the navaranga, the sukhanasi and the garbhagriha. This temple enshrines idols of five main deities together – Bhagwan Parshwanatha, Padmavathi Devi, Jwalamalini Devi, Kushmandini Devi, and Kshetrapala Bramha Yaksha. The garbhagriha houses Bhagwan Parshwanatha while the sukhanasi houses the rest. There are 3 temples and tonks of 24 tirthankar. This temple also includes an 18-feet monolithic idol of Lord Bahubali. Kanakagiri is the only place among the Jain centres where Kalasarpadosha parihara puja is performed. Numerous devotees, Jain and Hindu, throng to this place to perform this prayer. According to legends Queen Deverammanni of Mysoreroyal family once suffered from kalasarpadosha and found relief on worshiping the Goddesses here. So, she gave the temple a unique idol of the hood of snake bearing Dharanendra and Padmavathi figures. The idol is currently placed in the sukhanasi. Outside the fort enclosure are the foot impressions of all the twenty fourTirthankaras inside small sthupas. They are spread all along the hillock. The pathway leads to the top most point of the hill where a small pillar has been erected. There are also a few caves on the hill where Jain munis once meditated. There is a Jain Mutt at the foot of the hill under the patronage of Swasthi Shree Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji.
Athishaya Mahotsava 2017
The Jain committee had organised the Athishaya Mahothsava at Kanakagiri from January 16 to February 5, 2017. The first Mahamastakabhisheka of 18-feet statue of Bahubali was performed on Feb 2 2017, Several rituals were held between January 16 and February 5. A Sarvadharma Samavesha is held on February 2 and 3. A meditation hall, waiting hall for tourists and bus stand were started. Gajaratha Mahotsava was held on the concluding day. Free health camp was organized as part of the festival for the benefit of the people in the surrounding villages.
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Nearby places
There are many Jain temples nearby. Mainly temples are:
