Simhanagadde is a beautiful Jain pilgrim center located in picturesque location in Narasimharajapura Taluk adjacent to Narasimharajapura Town in Chikmagalur district.  Shri Kshetra Simhanagadde is well-known for Atishaya of Jwalamalini Devi – the Yakshini of Bhagwan Chandraprabhu.

Roughly 600 years ago the headquarters of ‘Gerusoppa Soduv Empire’ was at a distance of 27 km from ‘Honnavar’ in Uttara Kannada District. The Queen Channa Vera Devi the wife of Jain King got constructed 700 temples. After attack of Portuguese the Queen was defeated and temples were ruined. One can still see the remains of ruined Jain temples there.

It is said that Muni Chikk Samantbhadra had seen the Jawalamalini in his dreams. In the dreams the deity gave the information that her temple will be soon destroyed. Hence her idol must be installed in a place where cow and lion play together. As instructed Chikk Samantbhadra took the idol from the temple and began searching for the said place. Finally at a distance of 2 km from Narasimharajapura, he found the place where both cow and lion were playing together without enmity. He investigated the place and found the place to bear resemblance to what he saw in his dreams. He therefore got a temple constructed there and installed the idol of Jwalamalini Devi there with much reverence. After the establishment of temple the place was named as Simhanagadde.

Temples

The Jwalamalini Atishaya Kshetra has six temples. These temples are of both ancient and new types.

Bhagwan Chandraprabhu (Chandranath) Temple is the very first temple that is reconstructed at the place of ancient one. The idol is 4 feet in height and is made of marble. It is seated in a padmasana posture.

The temple has been constructed in square area. The main gate of the temple has been designed in a modern style and looks very attractive. The temple is also adorned with sky-high spire and has been constructed by squared stones.

The second temple of this Kshetra is known as Parshvanatha Swami Jain Temple. The principal deity of the temple is Lord Parshvanatha. According to the inscriptions that have been discovered from here, the temple was built during the reign of King Krishnadeva Raya of Vijaynagar. The inscription can still be seen in this temple.

The 5 feet high standing idol of Parshvanath surmounted by 9 serpent hoods is very beautiful. Together with idols of Tirthankaras, idols of goddess Saraswati as well as Padmawati are as well installed at this place.

The third temple of this Kshetra is the Jwalamalini Temple. The idol is made of bronze and has been beautifully carved.

The temple has a huge open space and is also adorned with a pond. Lot of lotus flowers bloom in this pond.

The Bhagwan Shantinath Temple is the fourth temple here. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shantinath. The idol is 4 feet height and is made of marble. The wooden gate of this temple has been magnificently made.

The fifth temple located here is the Muth-Mandir. The ancient idols of Lord Bahubali, Lord Parshvanatha, Lord Chandraprabha, Jwalamalini are installed here.

The sixth temple here is Kshetrapal Temple. It has been built within the premises of Muth-Mandir.

Manastambha – The 64 feet high Manastambha installed in front of the Shanthinatha Basadi consists of a Chaturmukha (four face) Shanthinatha Swamy idol. It was installed and inaugurated in 1991.

Source:

http://www.indianetzone.com/60/shri_simhanagadde_jwalamalini.htm

http://jainteerth.com/karnataka-jain-teerth/shri-atishaya-kshetra-simhanagadde-narasimharajapur/

http://www.karnatakaholidays.com/simhanagadde.php