Simhanagadde Jain Kshetra
The Jwalamalini atishaya kshetra — a Jain place of miracles, and the district's Jain centre.
Sri Atishaya Kshetra Simhanagadde, near Narasimharajapura, is a Jain site of long standing, known as the atishaya — the place of miracles — of Jwalamalini, the yakshi associated with the eighth Tirthankara. N.R. Pura town itself holds six basadis: Chandranatha, Parshvanatha, Jwalamalini, Shantinatha, the matha temple and the kshetrapala shrine, with an annual ratha yatra on the third day of Phalguna bahula.
What to do here
- Visit the Jwalamalini shrine
- See the six basadis in N.R. Pura town
- Time a visit for the Phalguna ratha yatra
- Take the satvik meal offered at the kshetra
The most important Jain site in Chikmagalur district, and a piece of the region's history that the coffee-and-peaks version of Chikmagalur leaves out entirely.
History
Jain settlement in this valley goes back to the Ganga and Hoysala periods, and Simhanagadde has been a pilgrimage destination for the Jwalamalini tradition for centuries. It remains an active kshetra with a resident establishment.
Travel tips
Near N.R. Pura, roughly 70 km from Chikmagalur town via Balehonnur. Location here is approximate — ask in N.R. Pura for the exact turning. The kshetra provides simple meals; confirm timings on arrival.
Please note
Do: remove footwear and all leather — belts and wallets included — before entering. Do: dress conservatively and keep quiet inside. Don't: take food, especially non-vegetarian food, into the precinct. Don't: photograph the images without permission.
Stay nearby
Places to stay around Simhanagadde Jain Kshetra
Combine your trip
Places near Simhanagadde Jain Kshetra
LakeBhadra Backwaters, N.R. Pura
The upper reach of the Bhadra reservoir — coracles, islands, and the tiger reserve on the far bank.
Kopada Veerabhadra Temple, Koppa
The temple the town is named for, in the middle of areca country.
Hariharapura Sharada Peetham
A Shankaracharya foundation on the Tunga that almost no visitor to Sringeri ever hears about.
DamBhadra Dam, Lakkavalli
One of Karnataka's oldest big dams, holding the reservoir that forms the tiger reserve's western edge.