IT IS JAINKAASHI....

National Federation of Akashvani and Doordarshan Employees Mangalore chapter had arranged a National level congregation two  months ago in a very grand way at Mangalore.  In commemoration of the same a souvenir  titled "Banuliya Belaku" was published under my Chief Editorship. It contains rare and important articles on Electronic Media in five languages, viz. Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Hindi and English.

In a specially arranged programme this souvenir was presented to Dr. M.Mohan Alva, President of Alva's Educational Foundation and Organiser of literary and cultural events at Moodabidri. The programme was conducted at the Journalism Department of Alva's college.

Dr.Chethankumar Naik, Station Director of  AIR Bangalore and Dr.Vijaya Haran, Station Director of AIR Mysore were present in this occasion. AIR Officers from all over Karnataka were  present during the programme, who came for a meeting at Mangalore.

From left to right: Dr. Vasanthkumar Perla, Dr. Vijaya Haran, Dr. M.Mohan Alva (sitting) and Dr. Chethankumar Naik

During the entourage we visited Saavira kambada Basadi (thousand pillared Jain mantap) and The Jain temple also.  Moodabidri is called as Jain Kashi and a famous pilgrimage centre for Jains. It is a tourist spot also. The basadi was built by the Chowta Kings  during 1430 A.D..  Constructed by locally available hard stone with hoysala style, it took eight years to complete the work. The colour tiles which were imported from Italy during 16th century are very beautiful and attractive. It is surprising that the flooring is still intact and even the colour is not faded-out... The sanctum-sanctorum is constructed with Nepali architectural style and the Thirthankara  idol which is golden in colour, is very handsome and attractive.

I am standing in front of the "Saavira kambada Basadi" at Moodabidri, which is declared as a monument and maintained by The Archeological  Dept. of India.