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 One of the most oldest and important Jain pilgrim centers, Shravanabelagola is a city located in the Hassan district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. One can do an en route visit to Sravanabelago while travelling to Mysore from Bangalore and Hassan. It is known for its colossal monolithic 17 meter high statue of Gomateswara, on top of a hill- Vindhya Giri - at a height of 3000 feet above sea level. A flight of 500 steps provides access to this temple. The Gomateshwara Statue depicts hermit Gomateshwara in a complete nude posture as per belonging to Jain custom. . It was sculpted by Aristanemi in 981 A.D. The word Sravanabelagola means the Monk of the White Pond. Once in 12 years, The Statue of Bahubali is anointed with thousands of pot of coconut milk yogurt, ghee bananas, jaggery, dates, almonds, poppy seeds, sandal wood, milk, and saffron during the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony. Sravanabelagola attained historical importance when Chandragupta Maurya settled on this hill in the 3rd century B.C. along with his guru Bhagwan Bhadrabahu Swami after renouncing his kingdom. In addition to this statue, there are several Jain bastis (temples) and monasteries in Sravanabelagola and also on the nearby Chandragiri Hill. Of these, Chavundaraya Basti is of historical significance. |
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