Shravanabelagola

Reaching there:
By Air: Bangalore – 165 Km
By Rail: Hassan – 52 Km, Bangalore – 148 Km
By Road: Channarayapatna – 13 Km, Hassan – 52 Km, Bangalore – 148 Km

Shravanabelagola is one of the holiest places of the Digambara sect of Jainism. The town and its surroundings have been inhabited for over a thousand years. There are many ancient structures and writings in the city and the hills. Some of the most well documented early writings in Sanskrit, Kannada and Marathi can be found here. They are the thoughts of poets and the edicts of kings. Some lie beyond our reach, as Time has chosen to hide them; erasing them with wind and water. Others are words that echo in the deepest corners of the human mind, immune to both time and the changing nature of the nations of men. The town is situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka.

Attractions

Vindhyagiri
The greatest of the many structures is no doubt the monolith of Bahubali or the Gomateshwara, built by the warrior-poet Chamundaraya. The figure of Bahubali can be seen on the approach to the Vindhyagiri Hill. The hill is a part of the town and a road leads up to the arched entrance of the enclosure. There are nearly seven hundred steps hacked into the rock-face. The slope is gentle; however, the path is long and winding.

The climb is not impossible, but it does test the will. The view of the ancient site alone is worth the effort. The famed lake or kalyani that gives Shravanabelagola its name becomes visible half way up the hill. It’s a stepped tank.
At the end of the first flight of hewn steps there are several inscriptions. These ancient lithographs are protected with glass enclosures. While it would take a true scholar to decipher them, the curved script is startlingly familiar toanyone who can read Kannada in its present form. The Sun seems closer than the mere 400 ft of the hill can explain. It is almost possible to smell the heat and feel the brightness of the light. At the summit of the hill the ground is even. And then there is the enclosure of the monolith. The first surprise is the number of people at the summit after what is mostly a solitary climb. The second is the magnificent dream sculpted by the general of the Gangas.

Gomateshwara
Chamundaraya was a Ganga warrior loyal to the Rashtrakuta Empire during the latter half of the 10th century. He was also an accomplished scholar of Kannada and Sanskrit. It is said that he saw the monolith of Bahubali, the Jain hero of legend, fully formed in a dream on the peak of Indragiri (Vindhyagiri).
In the lore of the Jains, Bahubali was the youngest son of Rishabadeva. Lord Rishabadeva was the first of the Tirthankaras (ford makers), the highest in the echelon of the Jain spiritual leaders. In a contest for power and over-lordship with his eldest brother, Bharatha, Bahubali was victorious. The young prince was on the verge of slaying his brother. And yet, at the very end, instead of committing fratricide, Bahubali (He of the Strong Arms) renounced his claim to the empire and the material world.
The statue of Bahubali reflects this idea of great strength devoid of rage. The head rises nearly 60 ft from the ground. The body is perfectly formed. And the face is that of a priest at peace. The stance however is that of a prince, straight-backed and hardened in battle. An anthill surrounds his legs. Vines and creepers twist down Bahubali’s limbs in a helical dance. This impressive figure has been carved with great skill from a single massive boulder. It is a feat unmatched in scale.
Praise and admiration for the sculptors of the monolith is not restricted to the 20th century. On either side of mighty feet of the monolith are two guardians carved exquisitely in the unmistakable style of the Hoysalas. The dwarapalas stand alone without the imperial liger sigils of the Hoysala Empire in homage to the masters that came before them.
The surrounding enclosure has images of all the Tirthankaras. The monolith at Shravanabelagola is an active religious site. Prayers are offered everyday. The enclosure at the apex itself is remarkably cool, a fact truly realized only after leaving it.

Mahamasthakabhisheka
Every 12 years, the monolith is anointed with 1008 pots of sacred water, milk, and flowers. The whole structure is awash in color and it’s definitely a sight worth seeing.
There is a statue outside the main enclosure that is tied to the story of the first anointing. The next Mahamasthakabhisheka is scheduled in 2018.

Gullikayi Ajji
As one exits the enclosure there is a figure of a diminutive woman known as gullikayi ajji (ajji=grandmother). In the great history of the monolith, hers is a humble tale all the more charming because of its protagonist. The story goes that when the monolith was ready to be inaugurated, the anointment using great vats of milk failed to reach the foot of the mighty hero. Yet when an old woman carrying milk in a hollowed out brinjal-like gourd (gullikayi) poured milk down Bahubali’s head, it reached his feet, 60 ft below. The statue of an old woman was then allegedly erected in her honour by the very same Chamundaraya, whocommissioned the monolith. The descent into the town is comparatively easier.

Jain Basadis in and around Shravanabelagola
The town has many Jain basadis (shrines). These structures were constructed over several centuries by several kings and ministers. The earliest and largest of the basadis is the Bhandara Basadi (Bhandara=treasure). Its true name is the Chaturvimsati-Tirthankara Basadi. Images of all the twenty-four Tirthankaras are consecrated in the sanctum. Its current name is derived from the office of treasurer held by Hullaraja, the official who is said to have commissioned it in 1159 AD.

Chandragiri
There is also the smaller hill - Chandragiri. Chandragiri is about half a kilometer away and lies just opposite to Vindhyagiri. It has several shrines dedicated to the Tirthankaras and the kings and ministers of the Gangas. The earliest inscriptions at Chandragiri are believed to speak of the migration of the northern Jains to the south, and of the 12-year famine at Ujjain. These are dated back to the early 7th century AD. Some of these writings are said to refer to Emperor Chandragupta, founder of the Mauryan dynasty, the first true Indian empire, in the 3rd century BC.

Around Shravanabelagola

Halebeedu
At a distance of about 79 km from Shravanabelagola is Halebeedu famous for its Kedareshwara and Hoysaleswara Temples, which are excellent manifestations of the Hoysala style of architecture. At a walkable distance is Basadihalli, with three 12th century Jain basadis. The lathe-turned columns, delicate carvings and exquisite ceiling freizes are definitely worth seeing.

Belur
At a distance of about 90 km from Shravanabelagola is Belur. The prime attraction here is the Channakeshava Temple displaying unique Hoysala workmanship with intricate carvings and delicate, floral geometric designs.

Melkote
A religious centre, Melkote is at a distance of 40 km from Shravanabelagola. The Cheluvarayaswami Temple of the 12th century is famous for its rose coloured gopura and lion heads. The Vairamudi Festival of this temple held in March-April is spectacular.

The Director, Department of Tourism
# 49, Khanija Bhavan, Second Floor, Race Course Road, Bangalore-560 001, Karnataka, India. Ph: +91 80 22352828 Fax: +91 80 22352626
Email: [email protected], www.karnatakatourism.org

For further information, contact:
Assistant Director, Regional Tourist Office, Government of Karnataka,
Yatri Nivas Building, A.V.K College Road, Near Bus Stand, Hassan -573201.
Tel: 08172-268862

Shravanabelagola Digambara Jain Managing Committe, Shravanabelagola - 573135. Tel: 08176 - 257235