Namdroling Monastery
Namdroling Monastery near Mysore is a Buddhist town where around 5000
lamas, (both monks and nuns) practice and preach the lineage of Tibetan
Buddhism, forming its largest teaching center.
Banavasi
Recent excavations at Banavasi in North Karnataka unveiled the Buddhist
Stupa remains structured like a dharma chakra.
Sannati
Sannati in Gulbarga District still serves as a glorious link of Buddhism
with Karnataka state. Continuous excavations conducted here revealed traces
of the oldest Buddhist sites in the region including Buddhist relics of two
stupas, three mounds, a fortification, 4 major rock edicts and a Buddhist
settlement.
Ashokan Edicts - Siddhapura
Some of the precious inscriptions on rock erected by Emperor Ashoka adorn
the Buddhist heritage of Karnataka. The edicts in Siddhapura depict Ashoka
as a lay worshipper, zealous about Buddhism after visiting Samgha in Brahmi
script and Prakrit language.
Chitradurga
Brahmagiri’s Ishila, one of his provincial capitals where rock edicts
dated 3rd century BC were discovered. These inscriptions are also an
important from the viewpoint of assimilation of Buddhist culture and
language of Brahmi and Prakrit in regional Kannada culture. Jatinga
Rameshvara and Siddhapura also comprise the heritage of Ashokan edicts in
the district.
Maski
Maski of Raichur District hosts a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka,
discovered by C. Beadon in 1915. This edict’s uniqueness lies in its
inscription which contains the name of Ashoka instead of the earlier edicts
that referred him as Piyadasi, (Beloved of the Gods who regards everyone
amiably).
Koppala
Gavimath in Koppala hosts the legible Ashokan edict in the region whereas
Palkigundu’s remains are hard to decipher. Here also, Emperor didn’t
use his name and referred himself as Devanama Piyadasi – Beloved of all
gods. The inscription adds on to the purpose of the announcement by making
people realize that anyone can be enthusiastic about Buddhism.
Nittur
Nittur in Bellary District portrays Ashoka as the ruler of vast empire
including Persia – Modern Iran.
Badami
Badami Caves in North Karnataka hosts a natural cave Buddhist temple in the
rock cave complex. Also, Buddhist remains from the Badami Chalukyas period
were excavated between caves two and three.
Dambal
A major center of Buddhism till 12th century, Dambal has an old Buddhist
temple with a 10th century inscription. The temple is devoted to Buddhist
Goddess Tara, and in past served to Buddhist monks as a Vihara. The
inscription dated 1095 AD reinstates this fact. A Buddhist centre also
flourished in Dambal during 12th century, the era when Hinduism was at its
peak.
Mundgod
Mundgod in North Karnataka is a site offering a glimpse of Tibetan
settlements, multi-coloured stupas and painted prayer halls in South.
Currently, the complex houses 9 camps with two monasteries and a nunnery.
Kanaganahalli
Kanaganahalli is an important Buddhist site where an ancient Buddhist
Mahastupa, brick built structures of Chaityagriha, votive stupas, Buddha
padas, sculptured panels of Jataka stories and life of Lord Buddha were
excavated during 1994 to 1998. Ruined remnants of a monastic complex also
belong to Kanganahalli.
Also, 50 inscriptions were discovered from this glorious site, including an
important excavation of Emperor Ashoka’s sculpture.
©
Buddhist Pilgrimage. All Rights Reserved (Terms
of Use)
