The temple was built more than 850 years back. The Sripurana, found Jain matha at Varanga, is one of the famous 8th century work by Jain tamils. The Jain Matha is a offshoot of the Humcha Jain Matha. This matha is said to have been segment of Mula Kundakundanvaya Kranurgana's Mesha Pashana Gaccha. According to an inscription found in Neminath Basadi, dating back to 1424 CE, King Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire visited the temple and granted land for operation. The inscription also mentions the of a Jain Matha existence prior to installation of the inscription. The matha is estimated to date back to. There is inscription dating 1515 CE and 1522 CE mentioning of grants sanctioned by a Jain business man and Chenna Bhairava respectively.
About temple
Kere Basadi is a 12th century temple, considered to be unique for being situated in the middle of a lake. The mulnayak of the temple is Parshvanatha, the 23rd tirthankar. The temple is built in chaturmukha style, having four entrance and a chaturmukha idol with images of Parshvanatha, Neminatha, Shantinatha, and Anantanatha representing the four cardinal direction. The temple also houses an idol of Padmavati. It is believed performing puja here brings prosperity. There is also ritual for people to visit the shrine before marriage. It is believed to be a blessing if the flower from the right side of the idol falls. One has to take boat to reach the temple. A replica of this temple was erected during 15th century in Anekere, Channarayapatna.
Other temples
Neminatha Basadi is a stone temple built in 9th century. The shrine is in dimensions with a thatched roof. The temple has a ornate torana housing an image of seated tirthankar. The temple houses an 5 feet black-colored idol of Neminatha in padmasan posture as the mulnayak deity of the temple. Temple also houses a bronze idol of Mahavira, Ambika, and Padmavati. A small shrine dedicated to Kshetrapala exists in the temple premises. The shrine features a 45 feet tall monolithic manastambha. The Kathale Basadi, Mathada Basadi and Chandranath Basadi are other important temple in the region dating back 1,000 years.
The temple was featured in Mugulu Nage song Kere Yeri.
Festivals
The rathotsava is the primary festival of this temple, a five-day event is organised annually in the month of February. Buta Kola is organised to celebrate Navaratri, Dusshera, Diwali. On Vijayadashami, Ratha Yatra with an idol of Padmavathi Devi is organised to commemorate the procession of King Deva Raya II during Vijayadashami.
