Karkala
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Karkala
Village in the Udipi taluk of South Kanara District, Madras, situated in 13 degree 13' N. and 74 degree 59' E. Population (1901), 5,364. It was once a populous Jain town and the seat of the Bhairarasa Wodeyars, a powerful Jain family of which no representatives are now left. In the neighbourhood are many Jain remains. The most remarkable is the monolithic statue of Gomata Raya, erected by the ruling prince in a.d. 1431. It stands in an enclosure on the summit of a rocky hill south of the town overlooking a picturesque lake, and is 41 feet 5 inches high, with the traditional form and lineaments of Buddha. Once in sixty years Jains from all parts gather and bathe the statue with coco-nut milk. To the north, on the summit of a smaller hill, stands a square temple with projecting porticoes facing each of the four quarters, its columns, pediments, and friezes being alike richly carved and ornamented. Within, facing each entrance, stand groups of three life-sized figures in burnished copper, counterparts of the great statue above. At Haleangadi, close by, is the finest Jain stambha (pillar) in the District. It has a monolithic shaft 33 f eet high in eight segments, each beautifully and variously ornamented, supporting an elegant capital and topped by a stone shrine containing a statue. The total height is about 50 feet. Karkala is situated on one of the principal roads leading to Mysore, in the centre of a fertile tract con- taining many fine areca gardens. It has a considerable trade in rice and other local produce, and is the head-quarters of a deputy-tahsildar.
