Shravanabelagola Travel Guide

The town is located in the midst of two hills. There is a tank in the midst of this town called "Belagola" and the town is called by the same name. It is 8 miles from Channarayapatna in Hassan district. The town's Municipality has existed for the past 70 years. Shravanabelagola is a holy place for Jains. Their Guru is residing here in a Mutt. There is a Sanskrit Patashala to study Sanskrit and Shastras

This town has got some historical references, which add to the importance of this place. According to the tradition of the Jain Bhadrabahu, one of the Sritakavalli as the successor of Vardhamana (Mahaveera) passed away here in a cave on Chandrabetta while leading a migration to the South from Ujjain due to a 12-year famine, which he had predicted as his chief attendant by the Maurya Emperor Chandragupta who had abdicated the throne and in accordance with Jain rules adopted the life of a hermit.

There are ancient monuments in and around Shravanabelagola. There are monuments of rare excellence and skill got executed by the illustrious Gangas and Hoysalas who had profound sense of duty and ardent devotion to religion. The chief monuments are found in two sacred hills known as the Vindhyagiri and the Chandragiri.

The Kalyani:
In the heart of the town there is a beautiful pond called as the Kalyani and the Chandragiri.

The Vindhyagiri:
The hill is about 470 feet above the ground. and is one solid rock and about 500 steps have been cutout in the rock. There is the Brahmadevaru temple atop the hill. Besides there are the Chowwisa Thirthankara Basadi, Chennana Basadi, Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Brahmadevaru Kambha, Akhanda Bagilu and Gullakayajji.

The most important monument is the image of Sri Gomateshwara. It is nude and stands erect facing the north. This monolithic image is carved beautifully with accurate sense expression and there are curly hairs over the head. It appears as though it is an ant hill and creepers encircle the things up to the waist. The image is simple, gigantic but majestic. It is about 57 feet high. There is no 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 image was got installed by Chavundaraya, the Minister of the Ganga King Rachamalla Sathyavakya, in 988 A.D. according to the inscription.

In consideration of the supreme importance the Government of Karnataka constituted a committee known as the Gomateshwara Research Committee with the Director of Geology as its Chairman. Preservation of the image contact was their main task and they have accomplished that laudable task.

The Central Department of Archeology is responsible for its protection as a National Monument.

Numerous visitors arrive at Shravanabelagola to gaze at this and other monuments. But the most important occasion on which several thousands of persons from all over India passes through this place is at the time of "Mahamasthakabhisheka".

Mahamasthakabhisheka:
As the name suggests it is the anointing ceremony of the image; usually the auspicious occasion coincides once in 12 years.

According to Jain tradition Gomateshwara is not a mere monolithic image. He is regarded as Jain saint and in fact is the symbolical expression of Bahubali, in fact the image is of Bahubali Swamy, there is a story as to how image was got carved.

Some other important temples are;
The Bhandara Basadi:
Dedicated to the worship of 24 Thirthankaras. It is named after Treasure of Hoysala king Narasimha. It has got garbhagruha, Sukanasi and navaranga. The image in Indian dancing pose is beautifully carved.

Akkana Basadi:
Dedicated to the worship of Parshwanatha, it is constructed in Hoysala style. There is beautiful architecture inside the temple.

Sidhantha Basadi:
In this Basadi located to the west of the enclosure to Akkana Basadi were secured books relating to the Jain Sidhantha, in a dark room.

It is interesting to note that round about Shravanabelagola there are beautiful monuments of Hoysala style particularly in Jinanathapura and Kambadahalli.

The monuments of Shravanabelagola are a display of artistic excellence, architectural genius and intense devotion to religion. A visit to Shravanabelagola will reveal the grandeur and beauty of art and architecture of the distant past. They stand prominent as ennobling edifices and enliven the career of the artist, the devotee and the historian, who will grudge acknowledging that these monuments are living testimonies symbolizing the neatness of our nation in the fields of art, architecture and administration.

Distance from Hassan city: 51 kms.
Distance from Channarayapatna: 13 kms.

KSRTC Bus Fare:
Hassan to Channarayapatna: Express: Rs.18/- Deluxe: Rs. 23/-
Channarayapatna to Shravanabelagola: Express: Rs.9/-
Private vehicles are also available to go to Shravanabelagola from Channarayapatna. It is advisable to visit Shravanabelagola through Channarayapatna only, because of the lack of direct buses to Shravanabelagola from Hassan city.