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Sravanabelagola is one of the most important and most visited Jain pilgrimage sites. Chandragupta Maurya came here with his guru, Bhadrabahu, in the 3rd century BC. It is 51km southeast of Hassan, 95km north of Mysore, and 158km west of Bangalore.

The main reason to visit is to see the 17m (58 ft) high monolithic statue of the Jain sage Gomateswara (Lord Bahubali), said to be the world’s largest monolith statue.

Gomateswara (Lord Bahubali)
The statue of Gomateswara is on top of the Vindhyagiri Hill (also called Indragiri Hill). This statue can be seen from 24km away.

The statue was completed in 981 by the Ganga king Chavundaraya and named “Gommata,” the handsome one. It represents Bahubali, the son of the first tirthankara, King Rishabdeva of Ayodhya (also known as Adinath). Gommata renounced the world and sought enlightenment after he defeated his brother in battle for the right to their father’s kingdom. Realizing the futility of it, Gomateswara gave the kingdom to his defeated brother. The depth of his meditation is shown by the creepers growing up his legs and arms and the ant hill and snakes at his feet.

To see the statue, you must climb 600 steps (140m or 470 ft) to the top of Vindhyagiri Hill (approximately 30-min). You have to leave your shoes at the bottom of the hill. If it is sunny, it is a good idea to bring socks because the steps can become extremely hot. For those unable to make the climb, it is possible to be carried up the hill (Rs 100 both ways). If you have a bag, you can leave it at the office near the bottom of the steps.

Mahamastakabhi­sheka
Every twelve years, thousands of people come here for the Maha-mastak-abhi­sheka, when the 1,800-year-old statue is bathed with precious stones, milk, ghee, yogurt, saffron, and gold coins. The next abhiseka (bathing) festival will be held in 2005. During the last festival, Gomateswara was bathed with 1,000 litres of milk, 1,008 containers of water, 150 litres of sugarcane juice, saffron, ghee, sandalwood, and other substances.

Other Temples
There are many other Jain shrines on the way up Indragiri Hill. In the town at the bottom of the hill is the Bhandari Basti (1159), with images of the twenty-four tirthankaras.

At the end of the street there is a math (monastery) with a library containing rare palm-leaf manuscripts. Next door, there are 10th century bronze statues of the tirthankaras and murals depicting the life of Parswanath.

There are also Jain temples on the top of the nearby Chandragiri Hill. The Chandragupta Temple (12th century) has nice carvings depicting the story of Chandragupta and his guru, Bhadrabahu. It is said that Chandragupta, the Maurya emperor, starved himself to death on this hill around 300 BC. There are also intricately carved pillars and a 24m high pillar. Also on the hill is the Chamundaraya Temple, dedicated to Parswanath.

Practicalities
There is a friendly Karnataka State Tourist Office (open daily 10 am to 1 pm and 3 to 5.30 pm).
There are limited accommodations here, which include several basic pilgrim lodges managed by SDJMI (57258), a Jain society. Their office is near the bus stand, going toward town, set back from the road on the right side. The Tourist Canteen and Rest House is basic and cheap.

Shriyans Prasad Guest House at the foot of the hill is even more basic. It has dormitories and double rooms for Rs 60. The best of these places is the Yatri Nivas, which has rooms with bath for Rs 125.

Hotel Raghu (57238), near the bottom of the steps going up Indragiri Hill, has basic rooms for Rs 80/125. It has a vegetarian restaurant.

Travel
There are morning buses to here from Mysore and direct buses to Hassan (three daily), Bangalore (three daily), Belur (three daily), and Mysore (one daily). Most of them leave in the morning. To get here from Hassan or Mysore, you can take a bus to Channarayapatna (1 hr, first bus 6.30 am), and from there catch a bus to Sravanabelagola (30 min).

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