Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/99

CHAP. V. BETTAS. If Buddhism was not prevalent or powerful in the south, there are everywhere traces of the prevalence of Serpent worship in those districts where the Jaina religion now prevails. Sculptured serpents, with many heads and in all their con- ventional forms, are found everywhere about and in the temples ; and Subrahmanya in South Kanara, below the Ghats, is still a principal seat of Serpent worship in southern India. 1 It is not, unfortunately, easy to say how far Tree-worship was mixed up with the latter faith, but the observances of Serpent-worship are intimately connected with those paid to Trees. Trees perish more easily and quickly than sculptured stones, and when the worship ceases its traces disappear more readily. There are indications that it did prevail here also, but, till purposely enquired after, it is impossible to say to what extent. Enough, however, is known, even now, to justify the assertion that Tree and Serpent worship did exist antecedently in those districts in which Jainism prevailed in the south, as also in the Dravidian countries where the people are devoted to the worship of Siva and the members of the Hindu Pantheon. 2 The truth of the matter appears to be, that until plans are made available of their buildings it is idle to speculate about the introduction of Jainism into the south, or its vicissitudes during its existence there. It is a task which, it is to be feared, few are capable of undertaking, and that fewer still are willing to devote the time and labour requisite for its successful accom- plishment ; but it is worthy of being attempted, for, if successfully carried out, it would add to our scant stores of knowledge one of the most interesting chapters still available for the religious and artistic history of the people of India. BETTAS. The first peculiarity that strikes one as distinguishing the Jaina architecture of the south from that of the north, is the division of the southern temples into two classes, called Bastis and Bettas. 3 The former are temples in the usual acceptance of the word, as understood in the north, and, as there, always containing an image of one of the twenty-four Tirthankaras, which is the object there worshipped. The latter are unknown 1 'Madras Manual of Administration,' Prelim, arts, pp. 82, 83. Nagarkoil in Travankor, is also a chief seat of Snake- worship. 2 In the Hinduism of Malabar, Phallic and Sakti- worship and Tree- worship are inextricably mixed up with Snake- worship. Logan's ' Malabar,' vol. i. p. 183. 3 Bastl, properly "Basadi," is a Jaina monastery or temple ; it is the Kannada form of the Sanskrit "Vasati" having the same meaning ; Vasahika is applied to buildings including monastery and temple. Biihler, 'Ueberdas Leben des Hema- chandra,' p. 57. 'Betta,' in Kannada, means a hill.