JAIN ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE IN KARNATAKA There is an
inseparable relation between the religious practices and art
forms in the context of ancient Indian art and Jainism is not an
exception. Karnataka which has had Jainism as an influential
presence all through the previous millennium has evolved a
unique art tradition which borrows extensively from the pan
Indian situation also. Jaina temples are technically known as
‘Chaityalaya’ (caityAlaya) or ‘Jinalaya’ (jinAlaya). However
they are called ‘basadi’ or ‘basti’ in Karnataka. Usually, in
these temples there is a synthesis between the prescriptions
made in the ancient texts on architecture and iconography and
the features adopted by contemporary art styles prevalent during
various historical epochs. The major constituents of a Jaina
temple in Karnataka are the garbhagriha (Sanctum), antarALa
(vestibule), navaranga mantapa (saBA manTapa, pillared hall) and
a mukhamanatapa (portico). The shapes and sizes of these
structures vary based on utility. Sometimes t