Brahmadeva Mandir

Shardul Kothi - 21
Sumedh Satwik - 36
Information
"The Brahmadeva temple at Savadi, another of Vesara's anomalies built farther west from Sudi,
provides yet another link in Karnataka with North Indian architectural experiments, breaking ties
with its Dravida precedents. Built in ca. A.D. 1050-1075, the Brahmadeva temple provides one of
the earliest examples for a fully stellate temple in northern Karnataka. Its date is supported by a
comparison with Sudi. For instance, the adhisthana of the Brahmadeva temple compares with
those on the Joda Kalasa at Sudi. Also, the walls are exaggerated in height to t gurative panels
in the upper section, but the shrine pavilions on them stand low, unlike temples after ca. A.D.
1075
.

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How was it constructed?
The temple's sanctum uses four rotated squares to create sixteen corners on which
the karnas piers of the temple are located. The wall shows a column wedged between
the karna piers. The column is created within the boundaries of the rotated square by
simply carving back the recesses around it, while the monotony of its excessive height
is broken by plain ribbons along the shaft

Religious Thoughts
The god Brahmadeva or Brahmayakṣa has come to be identified with Brahmā, the yakṣa or male attendant deity of the
tenth Jina, Śītalanātha or Lord Śītala. He has gained the status of an independent god worshipped as a deity in his
own right. It is unusual for a yakṣa to have this role, especially as Brahmadeva's female counterpart, the yakṣī Aśokā
or Mānavī is not considered an individual goddess.
As a god, Brahmadeva or Brahmayakṣa is a soul subject to the cycle of birth and can intervene in human affairs, unlike
Jinas, who are liberated, perfect souls, completely detached from everyday human experience. Lay Jains worship gods
partly to request help with worldly matters, ranging from issues of health and fertility, and passing examinations to
business success. By the tenth century several of the śāsana-devatās had developed into independent gods at the
centre of their own cults. This may be because of their connections with the major Jinas, links with a prominent
pilgrimage centre or various stories of their powers.
Brahmadeva seems to be a clear example of an originally non-Jain god who was absorbed into the Jain fold in the
course of time. He has gained a visible presence within Jain temples through his installation on the so-called
Brahmadeva-stambhas. He is a guardian deity popular principally among Digambaras and is worshipped chiefly in
southern India, particularly Karnatak.

Festivals
An annual Rathayatra of Brahmayaksha is held at Stavanidhi, and in the month of January on new moon day
(Amavasya), a fair is held there. These events are attended by thousands of pilgrims from around the region.
Ratha Yatra , also referred to as Ratha Jatra or Chariot festival, is any public procession in a chariot. The term
particularly refers to the annual Rathajatra in Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other states, particularly the
Odia festival that involve a public procession with a chariot with deities Jagannath (Vishnu avatar), Balabhadra (his
[5]

brother), Subhadra (his sister) and Sudarshana Chakra (his weapon) on a ratha, a wooden deula-shaped chariot.
Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names. Rathayatra
processions have been historically common in Vishnu-related (Jagannath, Rama, Krishna) traditions in Hinduism
across India, in Shiva-related traditions, saints and goddesses in Nepal with Tirthankaras in Jainism, as well as
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tribal folk religions found in the eastern states of India. Notable ratha jatras in India include the Ratha jatra of Puri,
[11]

the Dhamrai Ratha yatra and the Ratha yatra of Mahesh. Hindu communities outside India, such as in Singapore,
celebrate Rathajatra such as those associated with Jagannath, Krishna, Shiva and Mariamman. According to Knut
Jacobsen, a Rathajatra has religious origins and meaning, but the events have a major community heritage, social
sharing and cultural signi cance to the organizers and participants.
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Specialities
• This is one of the few Brahma temples over the world.
• The temple is described to have been built by sage Vishwamitra and it
is believed that Lord Brahma himself chose the location for his temple
• Pushkar is often described in the ancient scriptures as the only Brahma
temple in the world and as the "King of the sacred places of the Hindus
• Mainly built of Marble, the present temple structure dates back to the
14th century. The temple is believed to be 2000 years old

"

Thank You All