Shravanabelagola tourist attractions - 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.

Prominent attractions include: 

The Vindhyagiri Hill

The Vindhya Giri Hill is at an elevated level of about 470 feet above the ground and is one solid rock. About 500 steps have been cut into the rock. There is the Brahmadevaru Temple atop the hill.

Vindyagiri Hill at Sravanabelagola

Besides there are the Chowwisa Thirthankara Basadi, Chennana Basadi, Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Brahmadevaru Kambha, Akhanda Bagilu and Gullakayajji.

The Statue of Gomateshwara

Sri Gommateswara (also referred to as Lord Bahubali) is a nude figure which stands aloft facing the north. This monolithic image is carved beautifully with accurate sense of expression and one can see the beautiful curly hairs over the head of the statue. Creepers encircle the thighs up to the waist.

The creepers and plants twisting their way up his body are symbolic of his motionless assignment of spiritual discovery The whole sculpture is simple, gigantic but definitely imposingly majestic. It is about 57 feet high.

Bahubali or Gomateshwara There is no such monolithic image of this height in the whole world. In the opinion of Ferguson, "Nothing grander or more imposing exists anywhere out of Egypt and even there no known statue surpasses its height".

The Gomateswara was installed by Chavundaraya, the Minister of the Ganga King Rachamalla Sathyavakya, in 988 A.D. according to the inscriptions. The most important occasion on which several thousands of persons congregate from all over India is at the time of "Mahamastakabhisheka" or the anointing ceremony.

(Photos credit: mattlogelin)

Mahamastakabhisheka Ceremony

It is pronounced as Maha-mastaka-abisheka. The auspicious occasion is observed once in 12 years. The last anointing ceremony was in 2005. According to Jain tradition Gommateswara is not a mere monolithic image. He is regarded as Jain saint and in fact is the symbolical expression of Bahubali.

Mahamastakabhisheka is a ceremony when the Jain priests pour over 1008 pots of sacred water, called Kalasas, over the image simultaneously chanting Mantras. Milk, curds, ghee, sugar, honey, sacred herbs, almonds, gold flowers and silver flowers are also showered on Sri Gommateswara.

Wealthy devotees offer bids for the Kalasas, to have the rare privilege of performing Abhisheka. As a tradition, the first chance of worship is offered to the erstwhile royal head of Mysore who is held in great reverence. The next ceremony takes place in 2017.

History of Mahamastakaabhisheka and Gomateshwara

The legend says that Purudeva, the first Thirthankara, had two sons by name Bharatha and Bahubali. Once they quarreled amongst themselves for the sake of kingdom. Bahubali won the fight. But he was overcome by grief and shame of seeing his defeated brother. He was transformed.

He renounced the kingdom and retired to penance and attained salvation. Bharatha got his statue put up in Paudanapura. After several years ant hills and serpents covered the hill.

He came to be recognized as Kukkuteshwara. In course of time Chavundaraya who had heard of the story resolved to have an image of the same description installed on the hill at Shravanabelagola.

Chandragiri (Chikkabetta) Hill

Chandragiri Hill is opposite to the Vindhyagiri Hill. You need to climb up the steps carved into the rock. There are several monuments of interest. Important ones here are:

The Cave of Bhadrabahu
The sacred feet of Sritakavalli are being worshipped even now. It is said that Chandragupta Maurya worshipped those sacred feet till his last days.

Kuge Brahmadevara Kambha
At the top of the pillar is the image of seated Brahma over it.

Manasthambha Basadi

A beautiful pillar with image of Jain seated in a small mantap with Gopuram. It is believed that this pillar was constructed in the 17th century by a Jain merchant by name Puttaiah.

The other important Basadis (Jain temples) are: 

• Kattlae Basadi; Chandragupta Basadi; Shasana Basadi
• Majjigana Basadi; Chandraprabha Basadi
• Suparshwanatha Basadi
• Chavundaraya Basadi
• Yeradukatte Basadi
• Savathigandharvana Basadi
• Shantinatha Basadi; Bharateshwara; Mahanavami Mantapa; Parshwanatha Basadi
• Therina Basadi; Shanteshwara Basadi; Iruve Brahmadevara Temple
• Kanchina Kola and Lakki Kola  
• The Bhandara Basadi
• Akkana Basadi
• Sidhantha Basadi; Jinanathapura and Kambadahalli 

The monuments of Shravanabelagola are a display of artistic excellence, architectural genius and intense devotion to religion. A visit to Shravanabelagola reveals the grandeur and beauty of art and architecture of the distant past. They stand as testimony to the architectural and artistic genius of the past in India.

• Go back to Shravanabelagola Travel Guide

• or explore Hassan district in this travel guide