Moodabidri
Moodabidri is known as the 'Jain Varanasi' of South India. There are 18 Jain basadis in Moodabidri; the oldest of them is the 15th century Chandranatha Basadi, also known as the Thousand Pillars Basadi. The main entrance, which faces the east, opens onto a superb monolithic pillar in front of the doorway. The temple boasts of a valuable collection of jewel-encrusted metallic images of Jain tirthankaras and superb monolithic columns in the Jain tradition, each with a different carving. The Jain Mutt near the main temple entrance has a library containing some beautiful 12th and 13th century palm leaf manuscripts. It is worth visiting the 17th century Chowta Palace for its beautifully carved wooden pillars and ceilings.
