Digambara Epigraphical Library (शिलालेख संग्रहालय)

The undisputed lithic charters of Digambara Jainism: royal proclamations, Sallekhana memorials, and Mūlasangha genealogies

12 Primary Inscriptions5 Ancient Scripts (Brahmi to Vatteluttu)Epigraphia Carnatica & Indica Verified
📜Kannada-Brahmi • Sanskritc. 600–650 CE

Chandragiri Hill Inscription No. 1 (Bhadrabahu & Chandragupta)

चन्द्रगिरि शिलालेख संख्या १ (भद्रबाहु एवं चन्द्रगुप्त)
Location:Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola
Dynasty & Patron:Western Ganga Dynasty
“Asti Bhadrabāhu-svāmi-praśiṣya-paramparānuyāte... Kaṭavapra-nāmakasya giri-varasya...”

The venerable Shruta Kevali Bhadrabahu, having foreseen a twelve-year famine in North India, led the twelve-thousand-strong Sangha to the southern summit of Katavapra (Chandragiri). There, attended by his disciple Prabhachandra (Chandragupta Maurya), he accomplished the sacred vow of Sallekhana.

Rice, B. Lewis, Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II: Inscriptions at Sravana Belgola, No. 1, 1889Read Epigraph
📜Kannada-Brahmi • Sanskrit634 CE (Saka 556)

Aihole Meguti Jinendra Inscription of Poet Ravikirti

ऐहोल मेगुती जिनेंद्र अभिलेख (कवि रविकीर्ति)
Location:Meguti Jinendra Temple, Aihole, Bagalkot
Dynasty & Patron:Western Chalukya Dynasty (Badami)
“Jayati bhagavān jinendro... yenākāri paronmukhā ravi-kaviḥ kīrtiḥ satāṃ saṃsadi...”

Victorious is Bhagwan Jinendra, who delivers beings from the ocean of rebirth! Ravikirti, who by his poetic skill equaled Kalidasa and Bharavi, built this stone abode of Jinendra under the sovereign protection of Satyashraya Pulakeshin II in the Saka Year 556.

Kielhorn, F., Epigraphia Indica, Vol. VI, pp. 1–12, 1900Read Epigraph
📜Kannada-Brahmi • Archaic Kannada & Sanskrit983 CE

Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar Inscription of Chavundaraya

त्यागद ब्रह्मदेव स्तंभ अभिलेख (चामुंडराय)
Location:Vindhyagiri Hill, Shravanabelagola
Dynasty & Patron:Western Ganga Dynasty
“Śrī Cāmuṇḍarājena kāritaṃ... Gommaṭeśvarasya mahā-pratiṣṭhānam...”

Erected by Commander Chavundaraya, the crest-jewel of Ganga ministers and disciple of Acharya Nemichandra. Commemorates the miraculous carving and consecration of the 57-foot Gommateshwara monolith atop Vindhyagiri.

Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II, No. 281 (Old 109)Read Epigraph
📜Kannada-Brahmi • Sanskrit1128 CE

Sravana Belgola Inscription No. 54 (Mallishena Epitaph)

श्रवणबेलगोला शिलालेख संख्या ५४ (मल्लिषेण प्रशस्ति)
Location:Behind Parshvanatha Basadi, Chandragiri, Shravanabelagola
Dynasty & Patron:Hoysala Empire
“Śrīmat-parama-gambhīra-syādvādāmogha-lāñchanam... Śrī Kundakundānvayo yatīndrāṇāṃ...”

Reverence to the profound doctrine of Syadvada! In the holy lineage of Acharya Kundakunda arose Umasswami, Samantabhadra who roared like a lion across India, Pujyapada the master of grammar, and Jinasena the royal preceptor of King Amoghavarsha.

Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II (Revised), Inscription No. 54, pp. 20–35Read Epigraph
📜Kannada-Brahmi • Kannada1368 CE (Saka 1290)

Bukkaraya I Reconciliation Royal Charter of 1368 CE

महाराज बुक्कराय प्रथम धर्म-सहिष्णुता शासन (१३६८ ई.)
Location:Bhandara Basadi, Shravanabelagola
Dynasty & Patron:Vijayanagara Empire
“Jaina bhavanaṅgaḷiṅge hāni vṛddhi yāvudu adanu Vaiṣṇavaru tammadē endu rakṣisuvudu...”

Taking the hand of the Jain community and placing it in the hand of the Vaishnavas, Emperor Bukkaraya decreed: There is no difference between the religions. Any injury to the Digambara Jains is an injury to the realm. Let this royal edict be engraved in all temples across the empire.

Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II, Inscription No. 344Read Epigraph

Global Directory Stats

Our worldwide community-driven mapping directory and pilgrim platform...

636Monks & Ascetics
Total tracked ascetics (Monks, Nuns, Disciples)
635Active Locations
Verified location updates mapped worldwide
63Temples
Jain temples registered
1,082Contributors
Active global community members