Shravanabelagola travel guide

Shravanabelagola tour - Come see the giant monolithic statue of Gomateshwara and learn about Jainism in this pilgrimage town, near Hassan.

About Sravanabelagola 

Wedged between two stark rocky hills, this legendary pilgrimage center and shrine of the Jains (followers of Lord Mahaveera) is 149 kms from Bangalore, 52 kms from Hassan and 80 kms from Mysore.

The monolithic statute of Lord Gommateswara, a Jain saint standing atop one of the hills (Indragiri Hill), is 17 mts high (about 57 ft) and it is said to be one of the tallest and most graceful monolithic statues in the world.

How to reach Sravanbelagola 

The place is 120 kms from Bangalore, 51 kms from Hassan and 13 kms from the municipal town of Channarayapatna. Public transport and private vehicles are available to go to Shravanabelagola from Channarayapatna.

It is advisable to visit Shravanabelagola via Channarayapatna only, because of the lack of direct buses to Shravanabelagola from Hassan city.A small tourist office is at the foot of the Hills and is open from 10am to 5.30pm each day except Sunday.

History and the origin of the name 

Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the Ganga, King Rachamatta, created the symmetry in stone around 983 A.D. The Mahamastakabhisheka festival, an elaborate ritual, held here once every 12 years, the last one in 2005, attracts devotees from all over the world...

There is a tank in the midst of this town called "Belagola" and the town is called by the same name. It is also sometimes referred to as Sravanbelagola, Sravan Belgola or Shravanbelgola.

Tourist Attractions in Sravanabelgola 

Gomateshwara at ShravanabelagolaThe highlight of Shravanabelgola is the nude statue of Lord Gomateshwara. Standing 57 feet tall, this is the largest monolithic statue in the world.

Every 12 years,  Shravanabelagola sees hundreds of thousands of devotees from all over India converge in this town for this Maha Mastaka Abhishek festival. This festival is conducted in honor of Gommateshwara, believed to be an  expression of Lord Bahubali. 

(photo credit: harryharris)

There are ancient monuments in and around Shravanabelagola. These are monuments of rare excellence and skill built by the illustrious Gangas and Hoysalas who had profound sense of devotion. The chief monuments are found in two sacred hills known as the Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri.
In the heart of the town there is a beautiful pond called as the Kalyani.

Read more about tourist attractions in Shravanabelagola 

Tourist Information

Regional Tourist Office is located on the Vartha Bhavan, B. M. Road, and Hassan (Tel. 08172/268862; 10am-5:30pm, closed Sun and 2nd Sat of the month).

You can also deepen your knowledge by picking up tourist brochures at Hotel Mayura Velapuri's Belur Tourist Information Centre, Temple Road, Hassan (Tel: 08177/22-2209; daily 9:30am-6:30pm).

In Halebid, there's a Tourist Help Desk (Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm) at Hoysaleshvara Temple. You can pick up ASI-certified guides outside each of the two main temples in Belur and Halebid.

Go back to Hassan Sightseeing spots or Visit Mangalore, a coastal city close to Hassan