His Holiness Swasti Sri CHarukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji and other ascetics encircling the Parshwanatha Basadi atop the Chandragiri Hillock.

Shravanabelagola, January 25, 2006: Wednesday at the Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations belonged to Emperor Ashoka with the Acharyas and Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji commemorating his visit to Chandragiri hills by grand offering of a silver Chatharathraya, the dharmic head shades resembling three dropping umbrellas linked one below the other, and pearls Abhisheka to Teerthankara Parswanatha Swamy’s idol in Chandragupta Basadi the Jain Temple built by Ashoka in the memory of his grandfather, Chandragupta Mourya, atop the hill and circling the Basadi thrice.After the morning poojas in different Jain temples in the morning, drum beating devotees and the Jain monks braved the early morning chill and climbed the hills armed with the Chatharathraya. Once the entourage with all the 12 Acharyas led by Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji reached the Basadi, slogans were raised and the Chatharathraya was raised in a grand show, following which the entire procession circled the Basadi thrice.

His Holiness Swasti Sri CHarukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji and other ascetics encircling the Parshwanatha Basadi atop the Chandragiri Hillock.
His Holiness Swasti Sri CHarukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji and other ascetics encircling the Parshwanatha Basadi atop the Chandragiri Hillock.

Speaking on the occasion, Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji said the temples at Chandragiri Hills were models to be emulated. “Samrat Ashoka built Chandragiri Basadi in memory of his grandfather. We can find this kind of architecture only in Karnataka. Chandragupta Basadi Vaastu principles have been followed thoroughly in this temple, built by Ashoka.

The Swamiji said when Emperor Ashoka visited Shravanabelagola, a complete colony was built for him and his entourage and this could be what is today known as Halebelagola. “There is a need for conducting extensive research on all the 555 scriptures and other heritage structures atop Chandragiri, and it is always better late than never”, he said and added that he had held talks with ASI about Halebelagola to renovate the temples there.

His Holiness Swasti Sri CHarukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji and other ascetics encircling the Parshwanatha Basadi atop the Chandragiri Hillock.
His Holiness Swasti Sri CHarukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji and other ascetics encircling the Parshwanatha Basadi atop the Chandragiri Hillock.

Swamiji though Chandragupta Basadi is very small it has been built very scientifically and this 2300 years old Basadi has the best Vaastu recorded so far.
Later, speaking at the ‘Ashoka Namana’ function in the afternoon, Acharya 108 Vardhamana Sagar Muni Maharaja said Ashoka was an indelible part of India, enshrined as the Ashoka Chakra in the national flag and the Ashoka Sthamba, the national insignia. Other Acharyas and matajis, including revolutionary Jain Muni Tarun Sagar, also spoke on the occasion. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)