Shri Kshetra Kanakagiri

Not much know till the recent past to the external world and the Jain masses is a sacrade Jain Heritage Centre in Karnataka called Kanakagiri. It is a hillock located in the Chamarajanagar (18 Kms from Chamarajanagar) district of Karnataka and situated at about 53 Kms away from Mysore. It bears a very ancient Jain history in the map of India in general and Karnataka in particular.

It is credited to be the only siddakshetra in south India and the only place in the Jain tradition that is recommended to be place for Kalasarpadosha parihara pooja. In the ensuing lines let us explore this place and its heritage.

It has a widely spread hillock with tides of rocks and bushes around with a temple a top the hillock.

The inscriptions, engravings of footprints, samadhi mantapas and nishadi caves throw much light on the heritage of the place. These stand as an edifice to the antiquity of the place and also the gamut of Jaina saints who lived here. Furthermore these also reflect the extent and depth of religious importance in an impressive manner.

Many saints undertook deep penance and attained Kevala Jnana and salvation atop the hill. Hence it has been called as a Siddakshetra.

Supratishta Munivarya of Suryapura and Jnanachandra Munivarya preached here to the devotees and thus propagated the principles of Jaina religion. They were endowed with anantha jnana, anantha sukha and anantha veerya.

Pujyapadacharya was an unique personality among the Jaina ascetics and whose achievements were unbounded. His name is personified with Kanakagiri.

Maleyuru:
Maleyuru village is situated in Chamarajanagar district and is about 3 Kms away from Kanakagiri. However it bears a very close and inseparable relationship with Kanakagiri. It was once one of the important Jain centres in the world. It was well known for its sandalwood and rich forestry around it. It is said that princess Jevandara attained sainthood at the behest of Lord Mahavira on his visit to the place.

Jainism flourished well in this place for centuries and a big temple belonging to Sri Adinatha is found as a testimony in the heart of Maleyuru. The main principle of non violence is practiced immensely by the people living here.