Hombuja Atishaya Jain Teerth Kshetra

Humcha/Hombuja is a small village near Ripponpet, Hosanagara taluk in Shimoga district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Hombuja Atishaya Jain Teerth Kshetra is famous for being home to an ancient temple of Goddess Padmavati, and to the Humbaj Matha (seminary/monastery), an important institution of the Jain community. This temple is considered to be very holy and is known for its cultural and historical heritage.

Other notable highlights of the place are a lake that reputedly never dries up and a tree that likewise always remains green.

The History of this region is also associated with Santara or Bhairarasa dynasty. Santara or Bhairarasa is the name of a medieval ruling dynasty of Karnataka, India.

Jinadatta Raya, a Jain prince from Mathura in Northern India was the supposed founder of the dynasty. He is said to have migrated to the town of Humcha with an idol of the Jain deity Padmavati, laying the foundation of the kingdom in Humcha. The area covered by their kingdom included territories in the Malenadu region as well as the coastal districts of Karnataka. The dynasty founded by Jinadatta appears to have split into two branches by the 12 century C.E. One branch being stationed in Hosagunda of Shimoga district and Kalasa in the Western ghats, chikkamagalur district. Gradually these branches (or only the Kalasa branch) shifted their capitals to Keravashe (14 km north-east of Karkala) and Karkala both in the old South Canara district. Hence the territory they ruled was also known as the Kalasa-Karkala kingdom.

SRI SUBRAHMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE HALASURU

This popular temple dedicated to Sri Subrahmanya is more than 800 years old.

The temple is close to the celebrated Halasuru Someshwara Temple, and right opposite to Sri Adhi Vinayaka Temple near Halasuru metro station. It is said that this temple is older than Sri Someshwara Temple. The deity is also known as Ananda Murugan here. The lord Subrahmanya here is a replica of Murugan at Thiruthani Murugan Temple one of Arupadaiveedus of Murugan. Lord Subrahmanya is flanked by Valli on His right and Devasena on His left in this temple in separate shrines.

Legend has it that this temple was built by one of the Maharajas of Mysore many centuries ago.

The then Maharaja of Mysore was on his way to visit his uncle who was suffering from eye disease. It came to his notice that there were devotees frequenting an Anthill at the present site of the temple. The Maharaja visited the anthill and prayed that if his uncle is cured of the eye disease, he would build a temple at the site for the Lord. Once the Maharaja reached Mysore, it was brought to his notice that his uncle was cured of the eye disease. The temple was constructed to thank the Lord as a votive offering.

There is a sculpture of sage Mandavya in the Mantapam. As per one of the versions, Sage Mandavya had this temple built on being directed by the Lord. Some are of the opinion that this temple was built around the same time Sri Someshwara temple was built due to its connection with Sage Mandavya.

There are separate shrines for Chandikeshwara and Nagadevata. It is believed that the temple was once a Shiva temple. The temple also has Ardha Nareeshwara, Durga, Surya Narayana Sage Agastya, Navagrahas and Kalabhairava enshrined. The temple follows Shaivagama guidelines. There are Nandis on the temple walls and Lord Vishnu shrine at the back entrance of the temple. This is typical of a Shiva temple. The Sthala Vriksha is Athi maram. There is a tank within the temple premises.