Destinations Magazine

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and More

By Rashmi Gopal Rao

Just about 35 km from the bustling town of Mangaluru, lies the quaint town of Moodabidri that is known for its Jain temples or basadis as it is also called.  A town that exudes plenty of rustic, old world charm, its streets are lined with ochre hued houses with sloping brick tiled roofs.  With the coastal sun gleaming down through the coconut palms, these earthy colours are a treat for the eyes.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and moreBrick tiled roofs and terracotta hued houses

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

The yesteryear buildings reflect a heritage and history that dates back several years.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

I fell in love with houses like this!

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

The town also houses a temple dedicated to Goddess Gowri that dates back to the 7th century.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
Inside Moodabidri’s Gowri temple

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

The soul of the town is however the thousand pillared temple or the Sāvira Kambada Basadi which is the most famous of the eighteen old Jains temples in the town.  Here are some captures of this temple that was built in 1430 AD.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
Sāvira Kambada Basadi temple entrance

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
Inside the Sāvira Kambada Basadi temple

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

The carvings on the pillars are stunning and spectacular to say the least.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
Pillars at the Sāvira Kambada Basadi temple

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

The carvings are intricate and the level of workmanship is superlative.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
Intricate workmanship inside the Sāvira Kambada Basadi temple

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
The quintessential Hoysala ‘lion’

The local markets here, like everywhere else, are a treat for the senses and I, as always, made it a point to visit them.

Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
Freshly harvested Arecanut
Photoessay: Moodabidri Musings – Saavira Kambada Basadi and more
The famous Udupi Mattu Gulla

To read more posts on the South Canara region, click here and here.


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