Meguti hill temple Aihole, ಮೆಗುತಿ ದೇವಾಲಯ, Buddhist rock cut two storey and Jain Temple Bagalkot
The Meguti Jain temple is on the level-topped Meguti hill, surrounded by the Aihole fort. The north-facing temple is dedicated to a Jain Tirthankara Mahavira. The word "Meguti" is a corruption of the word "Megudi" and means "upper temple".
ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ.೬೩೪ರಲ್ಲಿ ೨ನೆಯ ಪುಲಿಕೇಶಿಯ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನ ಆಶ್ರಯದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ರವಿಕೀರ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಮೇಗುಟಿ(ಮೇಗುಡಿ ಅಂದರೆ ಮೇಲಿನ ಗುಡಿ) ದೇವಾಲಯವು ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವಾಯಿತು. ಎತ್ತರವಾದ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕಾರಣ ದೇವಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ಈ ಹೆಸರು ಬಂದಿದೆ.ಜಿನನಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಿತ ವಾಗಿದ್ದ ಈ ಗುಡಿಯು ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹ ಮತ್ತು ನವರಂಗಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ಇದು ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೇಲಿದ್ದು ಎತ್ತರದ ಅಧಿಷ್ಠಾನದ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಟ್ಟಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ ಪುಲಿಕೇಶಿಯ ಆಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ರವಿಕೀರ್ತಿ ಎಂಬ ಕವಿ ಕಟ್ಟಿಸಿದ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಮುಖಮಂಟಪದ ಹೊರಭಿತ್ತಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಚಾಳುಕ್ಯ ಅರಸರ ವಂಶಾವಳಿ ಹಾಗು ಉತ್ತರ ಭಾರತದ ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ ಹಾಗು ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ ಪುಲಕೇಶಿ ನಡುವೆ ನಡೆದ ಯುದ್ಧದ ವಿವರಣಾತ್ಮಕ ಶಾಸನವಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಡಿ ಮೇಲೊಂದು ಗರ್ಭಗುಡಿ ಇರುವುದು ವಿಶೇಷ. ಮೇಲಿರುವ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಅಂತರಾಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲುಗಳಿವೆ. ಇದು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪುರಾತನ ಜಿನಾಲಯವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಅಧ್ಯನದ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯಿಂದ ಮಹತ್ವದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ.
The temple has an open portico, leading the devotee into a mandapa and the sanctum. The entire temple sits on a raised platform like many of the Hindu temples in the village. However, the layout inside is distinct. It has a pillared square mukhya-mandapa (main hall), which enters into a narrower square antarala divided into two compartments at different levels. A stair connects the slightly higher level, which leads to the larger square-shaped chamber and sanctum. This section consists of two concentric squares, the inner square being the sanctum, and the space between the outer square and inner square being the pradakshina patha (circumambulation path). However, in the back of this path, a later construction sealed the circumambulation passage, making it more suitable for storage. Inside the inner square is a relatively crude carving of a Tirthankara. In contrast to the crudeness of this carving is the intricate carving of Ambika with attendant female Jaina deities and her lion mount below of the temple, now preserved in the ASI museum in Aihole. A similar carving is found attending the Mahavira in Jain Ellora Caves, and it is therefore likely that this temple was a dedication to the Mahavira. The temple includes a stone stair connecting the lower level to its upper. Though badly damaged, the upper level has a Jain image. It is also a viewpoint to look over the fort as well to watch the Aihole village below.
The temple foundation moldings rhythmically project the plastered walls of the temple. The temple is not complete, as the niches and walls where carvings would be, are either cut but empty or left uncut and left raised. The temple had a tower, but it is lost and has been replaced by a rooftop watch room like empty chamber added much later and that does not flow with the rest of temple. The mouldings around the foundation have carvings of Jaina motifs such as seated Jinas meditating.
Meguti Aihole inscription: The Meguti temple is historically important for its Aihole Prashasti inscription. A slab on the outer side wall of the temple is in Sanskrit language and Old Kannada script. It is dated to Saka 556 (634 CE), and is a poem in a variety of Sanskrit metre by Jain Poet Ravikirti who is also the adviser to the king Pulakeshin II. This inscription has initial verses dedicated to Lord Jina’s eulogy. The inscription mentions the poets Kalidasa and Bharavi, whose Mahabharata-related compositions are subject of friezes in Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal region. The inscription records the Chalukya family and his royal patron's support in the construction of the Meguti Jain temple.
Aihole dolmens and inscriptions: Scattered in the prehistoric period megalithic site behind the Meguti temple are many dolmens, numbering about 45 and more are destroyed by treasure hunters. Local people call it Morera mane (Morera tatte) or Desaira Mane. Each dolmen has three sides upright square slabs and large flat slab on top forms roof, front side upright slab had circular hole.
Poetry on stone at the Meguti temple Aihole:
Many inscriptions are found at Aihole, the inscription at the Meguti Temple, popularly known as Aihole inscription, or Aihole Prashasti, is the most important and is an eulogy to the Chalukya king Pulakeshi-II. Written by the royal poet, Ravikriti, the inscription praises the Chalukya king in verse. Though using the Sanskrit language, the inscription uses the Kannada script
The inscription details the military victories of Pulikeshi II. His defeat of King Harshavardhana, his victory over the Pallavas, Mangalesha's (Paramabhagavat) victory over the Kalachuris, and the conquest of Revatidvipa (Present-day Redi Port). It also mentions the shifting of the capital from Aihole to Badami by Pulikeshi-II. The poet Kalidasa is also mentioned in the inscription. Another inscription at Aihole, that of Amoghavarsha I, mentions his new administration (navarajyam geyye)
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