India Mint Stamp

Lokith Philately

Permanent Pictorial cancellation of Karnataka

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers

Date of issue: 13.10.2019

Pin code: 577436

Status: Active

PO Name: Humcha

Description: Hombuja/Humcha is an ancient Jain Heritage Centre in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, its history dating back to the 7th century A.D. The city was established by Jinadattaraya a devotee of Goddess Padmavati. It is the most popular of all the Padmavathi shrines in the world. It remained the capital of the Santhara kingdom till the end of the 12th century and was ruled by many other rulers over the centuries. It houses the ancient Bhattarakha Peetha. The main temple complex a 15 stairs spread over an area of ​​about 200 ft. An ancient Manastambha is found in the middle of the stairs and moving forward we find a huge open hall similar to the main  Mandapam of ancient temples. Proceeding from the open hall in the centre, one finds the Parshvanath temple, on its right side a series of ancient Jain sculptures obtained from different parts of Karnataka. 

Moving ahead from the Jain idols, the Kshetrapala Brahma Yaksha temple. There is Parshvanath Temple which is an ancient structure with Navaranga, Sukanasi and Garbhagriha. The main deity of the temple is a 4-ft. high idol of Lord Parshvanath in Padmasana. There are chamardharis on both sides of this idol. We can also find an ancient idol of Goddess Ambika in this temple. It has the idol of Goddess Padmavati and the white marble idol of Lord Parshvanath in Padmasana as the main deities. It is this idol that is viewed with a high level of devotion and reverence across the world. The Lakkhi tree is found behind the temple which is related to the story of Goddess Padmavati. This tree is protected by a concrete structure with stone statues of Nagashilpa, Goddess Padmavati and Jinadattarai.