Kamal Basti

Kamal Basti, originally Kamal Basadi, is a Jain temple standing within the walls of Belgaum Fort in Belagavi. It dates from 1204 AD and was raised by Birchiraja, also known as Jaya Raya, who served as a minister of the Ratta king Kartavirya IV; the Jain monk Subhachandrabhattarakadeva guided the work.

The temple takes its name from a lotus that hangs from the middle of the domed ceiling. Its 72 petals are taken to stand for the 24 tirthankaras of each of the three ages: past, present and future. The sanctum holds an image of Neminath, the 22nd tirthankara, along with a carved stone throne. Other images show Sumatinath standing, Adinath seated in padmasana, and Parsvanath beneath a seven-hooded serpent. The tower follows the northern nagara form, while the pillared halls and ceilings show the work of local Chalukya-trained carvers, and old Kannada and Sanskrit inscriptions survive on site.