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Shravanabelagola Tourism Northwest of Bangalore, the Capital of Karnataka. The town is a prominent center for Jaina Art, Architecture, religion and culture for over 2,300 years. It is a town of ponds and temples. The name of this holy center is derived from the pond called ‘bili-gola’ (white pond) between two hills. The largest number of Digamber jam Basadis in India is found at Shravanabelagola. This apart, largest number of rock inscriptions, concentrated at a single center is found here. The temple on the Chikkabetta – Chandragiri, is known as Chandragupta Basadi dedicated to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. This was originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3 Century B.C..
The 57 ft. (17.5 mtr.) tall magnificient monolithic statue of Gommateshwara Bhagawan Bahubali was consecrated by Chavundaraya, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief in the Talakad Ganga Kingdom in 981 A.D.
Shravanabelagola is a historical temple town and pilgrimage centre in Karnataka, located in South India. This small town boasts of the largest number of Digambara temples as well as the largest number of inscriptions in the country.The cynosure of the centuries, Gommateshwara towers in his 57 feet solitary serene splendour, over the surrounding countryside. This freestanding monolithic statue, which crowns the 438 feet high present- day Indragiri or Vindhyagiri, hewn out of granite is the largest of its kind in the world. Majority scholastic opinion dates its consecration by Chavundaraya, a general of the Ganga dynasty, to 981 A.D. He was inspired by his mother Kalala Devi. The statue was executed in 12 years by Mahashilpi Arishtanemi. Earlier Indragiri, with 647 steps, was called ‘Per-Kalbappu’ (Large-Kalbappu) or Dodda Betta. There are 7 types of monuments – eight small and large temples, four mantaps, two ponds, five gateways or fortresses, three pillars, two arches and 172 inscriptions. These, in Kannada, Sanskrti, Marvadi Mahajani, Tamil and Marathi, date from the late 10th to 19th cent A.D.
Bahubali was the son of Adinatha, the first in the line of the 24 Jam threerthankaras. Rishaba Adinatha, on embarking on his spiritual quest, bequeathed his capital city of Ayodhya to his eldest son Bharata. Paudanapura went to Bahubali, the younger son. Bharata ventured on an ambitious course of annexation, in his desire to don the mantle of the paramount emperor of his age.
Bahubali refused to accept his elder brother’s suzerainty. Wiser counsel of elder ministers averted a battle between the kingdoms, which would have let to colossal loss of lives. Instead, Bharata and Bahubali were to engage in a duel. This probably was the first instance in human history of voluntary disarmament, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. In all three different types of fight (drishti yuddha, malla yuddb) hubali was the victor. As a last resort Bharata unleashed his lethal weapon – the chakra. To the amazement of the entire assemblage, the chakra circled Bahubali and settled at his right side.
In this moment of supreme victory, Bahubali was struck by the frailty of fortune and the hollowness of desires, which even led to fraternal conflicts over mere worldly possessions. In an act of unsurpassed renunciation he abandoned everything but his soul. Observing the severest of austerities, he stood in meditation in Kayotsarga pose for one full year, forsaking food and water. Such was his penance that anthills grew at his feet and as sculpted in the statue, tendrils – madhava latha – twirled around his arms. Thus he attained the state of Kevali Arihantha – perfect and complete knowledge about the universe, without undergoing any preparatory stages in previous lives, which is mandatory for attaining such transcendent realisation. The acme of manly perfection in physique, had now sublimated into godhood. ‘Gommata’ in Kannada, which means ‘huge’ thus gave birth to Gommateshwara Bhagawan or Sri Bahubali Swami.
Opposite Indragiri is the Chikka Betta (small hill) or Kalbappu, now called Chandragiri, the abode to the historic Bhadrabahu Basadi and Chandragupta Basadi. This 200 feet high hill with 192 steps also treasures the imprint of Bhadrabahu’s feet, the revered jam monk, who was the teacher and spiritual guid of the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta. There was 18 temples dating from 9th cent. A.D. to as recent as the bearing Dravidian architectural features. A historic inscription dated circa 600 the earliest in the country to refer to the migration of Jams to the south, the famine in Ujjain, to the role of Bhadrabahu in safeguarding the Sangha. Wri Sanskrit, another of the earliest, refers to Chandragupta. It also has the records of 92 deaths by Samadhi of Jam monks..
‘Bili-gola’ (white pond) nestling between the two hills, became Belgola, and consistently used between 650 A.D. and 1889 A.D. Shramana or Shravana after Digambar (naked) monks used this place, was added to form Shravanabelagola. Apart froe there are two ponds on Vindhyagiri, three on Chandragiri, there are ponds or tanks near almost every monument. There is no record of construction of ponds before time of Gangaraja (early 12th cent.). There are 7 temples in the town and — more in Jinanathapura and surrounding areas. The foundation of Jmnanathapura a northern foot of Chandragiri was undertaken by Gangaraja in 1117. The Santivara Basadi located here, is the most ornate of the Hoysala Basadis in Karnataka..
Karnataka Tourism rich with scenic beauty, is located at the southern part of India. Resourceful with all kind of varieties including temples, wild life sanctuaries, water falls, cosmopolitan cities, valleys, hill resorts, beaches etc..., Karnataka is a must visit state in India for all tourist enthusiasts and will not get disappointed. The weather is very moderate at southern districts. The temperature remains ideal throughout the year. Most part of the Karnataka state are agricultural lands as the state is rich in rivers. The western part has Arabian see and then the range of Western Ghats follows. This is the eighth largest state in India both in area and population. This state is famous for its natural beauty, rich culture and pleasant climate. Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka and is famous as IT hub housing many small and large IT companies. Kannada is the official (spoken and public correspondence) language of the state. But, the accent varies from region to region within the state. We will discuss some important places of various districts to travel as destinations in Karnataka. Here are details of various districts on Karnataka tourism. Visit the individual district page for more details about important places to visit and the distances of each place from various other places.
