|| ---- श्रवण बेलागोला ---- ||

हसन, कर्नाटका

Shravanabelagola is one of the most important Jain centers in the world. It is 158 km from Bangalore, near to Hassan which is located on Bangalore - Mangalore highway..

In Kannada language, "Bel" means white while "kola", the pond, is an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town..

The 57 feet (17.5 mtr.) monolithic statue of the Gomateshwara Bahubali is considered to be the world's largest monolithic stone statue and was erected by Chamundaraya a general of King Gangaraya in 981 A.D.

Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the ceremony called Mahamastakabhisheka in which the statue is covered with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.

Link to google map-> Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

There are two hills: Vindyagiri and Chandragiri on either side of a pond.

Vindyagiri

The statue of Bahubali bhagwan is located on Vindyagiri or the larger hill. This hill is about 470 feet above the ground. It takes around 650 steps to reach at top of the hill. At the foot of the Vindhyagiri hill is a temple of Bhramadeva that has an idol of Lord Parasvanath. As we climb further on the hill, we get to see many more temples such as Chauvvisatirthankara Basadi, Chennanna Basadi, Odegal Basadi and Siddhara Basadi. Opposite to Lord Gomateshwara’s statue on the top, there a beautiful pillar, which has four creepers carved on it. This pillar is named Tyagada Bhramadeva. The entrance of the enclosure where the monolithic statue is placed is called Akhanda-Dvara and has beautiful carvings of Gajalakshmi. This enclosure enshrines a large number of beautiful images of the twenty four Tirthankaras, Vakshi Kushmandini, and the colossal image of Lord Bahubali.

Chandragiri

The other hill, Chandragiri, is situated just opposite to Vindhyagiri. There are 240 steps that take us to its summit. This hill is characterized by several mantapas, toranas and basadis. After climbing 192 steps one reaches a beautiful torana with 16 pillars. The sight of Bhadrabahu Cave, Marasimha’s Stambha, Mahanavami Mantapa, Gangaraja Mantapa, Nishidhi Mantapa takes one into another era. The hill is also dotted with many basadis, few of which are Shantinatha Basadi, Parshwanatha Basadi, Chandragupta Basadi, Kattale Basadi and Chavundarya Basadi.

More about Lord Bahubali statue:

Lord Bahubali’s statue is said to have been built from single stone of smooth fine grey granite and stands to the divine height of 17 metres. This monolithic idol shows Lord Bahubali standing erect over anthills and serpents with a serene expression on his face. Also, one can see creepers encircling his legs and waist. The statue is captures the Lord’s perfect features and curly hair with his head resting on massive shoulders. What one rarely notices about the perfection of the idol is that the length of the index finger of each of the hands is not same. It is said that this was deliberately done due to a belief that with a flaw like that nobody can make the statue “khandit”

Distancefrom Shravanabelagola in KMs :

Belgaum - 480

Belur - 89

Bijapur - 721

Channarayapattana - 12

Dharmastala - 173
Halebeedu - 80
Hassan - 50
Hubli - 364
Humcha - 210
Jab Falls - 270
Kanakagiri - 145
Karkala - 259
K.R Sagara - 93
Mangalore - 225
Moodabidre - 238
Mysore - 89

N.R Pura - 219
Srirangapattana - 75
Tumkur - 150
Venur - 210

Nearest Railway Station: Hassan

Nearest Airport: Bangalore

Accommodation

1. Yatri Niwases, Bungalows, KSTDC Hotels and Guest Houses at Shravanabelagola itself.
2. Many good hotels at Hassan and Channarayapatna.
3. Tariff starts from Rs. 20 for a bed to Rs. 500 for a deluxe room. Do not forget to carry a mosquito repellent while going for a stay at Shravanabelagola!

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My personal experience of this place was really very good..I am fond of Bahubali bhagwan's statue.. I always enjoy climbing up to the peak of the hill (Vindhyagiri), where the statue is erected..

Since my childhood I was eager to have a look at this murti.. now, I want to attend the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony as early as possible and as many number of times possible..

As of now, I have been there thrice.. first time with few friends in Nov'08.. second time all alone on my birthday, Jan'09.. 3rd time in July'09