Express News Service By

MANDYA: A Jain temple was discovered by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) at Arathipura near Chandragiri Shravanappa Betta in K M Doddi hobli in Maddur taluk on Tuesday.

The discovery was made during an excavation near a hillock. The structure which is 100 foot long and 40 foot wide is believed to have been built during the eighth century with bricks and stones.

There are 10 pillars, peethas, pots and idols. The officials also found stone inscriptions on Bahubali, Talakadu Cholas and Hoysala at the site.

A team of 25 people has been conducting the excavation since last September. It also found ‘shilabalikes’ (stone sculpture of young women) and dwarapalakas and a Bahubali statue which is 3 foot wide and 3.5 foot tall.

ASI Bengaluru divisional superintendent D M Keshava said the Jain Basadi seems to be older than the statue of Bahubali in Shravanabelagola. The area which is near Kokkare Bellur bird sanctuary, was once a destination of Jain travellers, he added..