Nestled in the Mandya district of Karnataka, Aretippur stands as a profound yet weathered testament to India’s Jain heritage. Often overshadowed by the grandeur of Shravanabelagola, Aretippur—once known as Tipper—is a site of immense archaeological and spiritual gravity. Comprising two main hillocks, Kanakagiri (or Jinagouda) and Savanappana Betta, the site mirrors the dual-hill topography of its more famous counterpart, earning it the title of the "second Shravanabelagola."
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| Jain monument Aretippur, KA en.wikipedia.org image:Adipatil 0909 |
Above image: Jain Tirthankara statue at Aretippur, The site is known for its ancient Jain heritage and rock-cut sculptures that were made during to the Ganga period. Presently the important jain heritage site in and around the village is facing danger due to mining operations near by..............
Historical and Religious Significance
The history of Aretippur is inextricably linked to the Western Ganga Dynasty, a period defined by a flourishing of Jain art and philosophy. Inscriptions from the Epigraphia Carnatica reveal that the site emerged as a major religious hub between the 8th and 10th centuries CE. A pivotal moment in its history occurred around 916–917 CE, when a soldier named Manaleyar, under King Neetimarga Permadi, commissioned a basadi (temple) that was later entrusted to the saint Kanaka Bhattararya.
_Aretippur_(Gangas_Monument)_20250609_093619686.MP~2.jpg) |
| 10 foot tall Statue of Bahubali, Aretippur, en.wikipedia.org image:Adipatil 0909 |
The site’s crowning jewel is the ten-foot monolithic statue of Bahubali atop Savanappana Betta. Remarkably, records suggest this icon was consecrated in 918 CE, predating the world-renowned Gommateshwara of Shravanabelagola by over sixty years. For centuries, these hills served as an "open-air museum" and a sanctuary for monks practicing Sallekhana (ritual fasting), creating a landscape etched with Tirthankara carvings and sacred tanks like the Kanakagiri Teertha.
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| Jain Heritage site Aretippur, KA Facebook.com |
Present Conditions and the Threat of Mining
Despite its antiquity, Aretippur currently faces a precarious future. While Shravanabelagola receives significant state patronage and global tourism, Aretippur remains largely neglected. The most immediate threat is unregulated stone quarrying. Savanappana Betta is being systematically dismantled by heavy machinery and dynamite. These vibrations threaten the structural integrity of the 1,100-year-old Bahubali statue and the surrounding rock-cut inscriptions. Furthermore, the lack of formal protection has turned historical ruins into casual picnic spots, leading to the desecration of ancient stones and littering.
The Path to Preservation
Saving Aretippur requires a multi-pronged approach that balances conservation with sustainable development:
Legal Protection: The primary step is the declaration of the entire hill complex as a protected zone by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the State Department of Archaeology, which would legally mandate an immediate halt to all mining activities within a specific radius.
Infrastructure and Tourism: Given its proximity to the Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary, Aretippur could be integrated into a broader heritage and nature circuit. Developing basic amenities and informative signage would transform it from a neglected ruin into a regulated educational site.
Community Involvement: The local tradition of worshipping Jinamma without animal sacrifice reflects a deep-rooted Jain influence. Engaging the local community in "heritage watches" can ensure the site is protected from vandalism.
Aretippur is not merely a collection of stones; it is a chronological bridge to the Ganga era. If the roar of mining machinery is not replaced by the quiet footsteps of conservationists, this "second Shravanabelagola" may vanish before the world truly recognizes its worth.
https://sujnaturelover.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/bahubali-of-aretippur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretippur
https://www.deccanherald.com/content/83963/fallen-idols-aretippur.html
https://www.deccanherald.com/content/534472/exploring-lost-jain-trail.html
K. N. Jayaraman (Author:navrangindia.blogspot.com)
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