Image Source: Geetesh Jain
About Mandaragiri hill
Mandaragiri is a beautiful Jain temple that is a special place for Jain people. Built on a hill, the temple is dedicated to an important Jain saint, Mallinatha. The temple is situated in Tumkur district in the Indian state of Karnataka. There are other four old temples that belong to the 12th century.
What Can You See at the Top of the Hill?
There are four temples:
- One empty temple.
- The other three temples are for Chandraprabha, Parshvanatha, and Suparshvanatha (Jain saints).
Beautiful paintings of Jain saints are beautifully carved on the walls of the temple. At the entrance, two carved pillars with elephants and saints sit in a lotus position.
Manastambha
A beautiful carved pillar-like structure greets visitors at the base of the hill. The beautiful structure reminded me of the famous thousand-pillar temples in Moodbidri.
What is at the Bottom of the Hill?
At the bottom of the hill there is a big temple called Gufa Mandir that was built for Acharya Shantisagar, a Jain monk. Its also called peacock temple because it looks like a peacock feather fan (pinchi).
Near the temple, there is a tall statue of Chandraprabha, a 21-foot-high Jian saint.
What Else is Nearby?
- There are two lakes near the temple: Maidala Kere and Padmavati Kere.
- Near Maidala Lake, there is an old ruined temple with a large stone statue of a Jain saint.
- Near Padmavati Kere, there are eight goddess statues spread around.
Sunrise and Sunset views
Panoramic views at Mandaragiri Hill offer an excellent opportunity to witness a mesmerising sunrise and sunset.
Timing
The best time to explore the place is from 6 a.m. to 6pm.
Entry
Entry to the place is free.
Maps and Location of Mandaragiri Hill
Location: 12 km from Tumkur Bus Stand, 60 km from Bangalore