Chaturmukha Basadi Monastery

The construction of this temple is attributed to more than one person. Some believe that the Chaturmukha Basadi was built towards the end of the 16th century by the Santara dynasty’s Immadi Bhairarasa Vodeya.

Others attribute its design and construction to Queen Channabhairadevi. According to another legend, the temple dates back to the 15^th century when it was built by Vir Pandyadeva, a Jain King. This is probably the most popular Jain Basadi in Karnataka and is visited not only by Jain pilgrims but by followers of other religions as well. The monument is protected under the Archaeological Survey of India.

This temple has been designed in a way unlike any other. Broadly speaking, it follows the Vijaynagara style of architecture. It has been constructed entirely of Granite. The temple has 4 identical doorways in the north, south, east, and west that all lead into the Garbhagriha. A seated form of the Tirthankaras is carved into the lintel of the northern, eastern, and western doorway.

The southern doorway features a carving of Gajalakshmi on the lintel. This is flanked by sculptures of bedecked dvarapalas. The passage around the Garbhagriha features 108 stone pillars. Niches in the wall of this passage also contain sculptures of other Gods and Goddesses.

The Garbhagriha houses four black stone statues of the 24^th Tirthankara facing the 4 doorways. An idol of the Yakshi Padmavati, Malli, Ara, and Suryata are also housed in the Garbhagriha.

Karkala is 361 km from Bengaluru and 51 km from Mangaluru. Mangaluru is the nearest airport and railway station. Karkala is well connected by bus service from Udupi and Mangaluru. Chaturmukha basadi is 1.3 km from Karkala city center and can be reached on foot or by hiring an auto.

Fisheries Office-Dhana Shala Rd, Karkala – 574104

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