Spiritual Journey to Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola
Thanks to spread of Jainism in Karnataka we have some unique Jain pilgrimage places in Karnataka. Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola is one among them. There are at least 10 statues of Gomateshwara Bhagwan in Karnataka, but the one in Shravanabelagola is unique for is gigantic size. In fact it is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world. Karnataka Tourism has done well to promote and maintain this cultural heritage site.
Seeing this one of the rare monolithic statues, the question that crops up immediately is – Who is Gomateshwara? According to the Jain texts, Gomateshwara was the second son of first Tirthankara of Jains, Rishabdeva or Adinath. He was known by the name Bahubali.
Bahubali, is not a Tirthankara in the Jain lineage of mahamuni (great saints). Yet he has been bestowed with an important place in the Jain pantheon because for the Jains, Bahubali is the first siddha and Mokshagami, the soul that has attained nirvana.
You can see other Bahubali Statues in Karkala, Dharmasthala, Badami Caves, Venur, Gommatagiri in Mysore, and Kumbhoj.
Visit to Gommateeshwara Temple in Shravanabelagola
Embark on a spiritual journey with me to Shravanabelagola and discover the magnificent Gomateshwara Statue, a towering monolithic marvel of ancient Indian architecture. Read on to know the history and significance of this Jain pilgrimage site. I trekked to the top, climbing the stone cut steps on mountain side, halting for breathtaking views and capture its beauty through photography.
A couple of weeks back we were at Shravanabelagola, 158 km from Bangalore. A great weekend destination from Bangalore, Shravanabelagola is famous for the 58 ft. 8 in. tall colossal Gomateshwara statue of Jain figure Bahubali. We climbed 620 steps to reach the top of the hill. The huge statue of Bahubali and the view around is stunning.
Trekking to the Gomateshwara statue and experiencing the breathtaking views of Shravanabelagola
Read more: Unique Jain Temple, Mandaragiri Guru Mandir
How Sravanabelegola got its name?
The word Shravanabelagola translates to ‘the white pond of Saint’ as Sravana means saint, bel means white and kola means pond in Kannada language. You can see the beautiful pond in the town, true to its name, from hilltop.
Another legend has it that the name was due to an old woman who poured the milk she had carried in a gullakayi over the deity anointing him every day. Today the ritual of Lord Gomateshwara being anointed with milk is carried out during festivals and people throng in huge numbers to see this world-famous sight.
Trekking to the Gomateshwara statue and experiencing the breathtaking views of Shravanabelagola
Story of Gomateshwara Statue Shravanabelagola
The story of why and how such a huge statue of Gomateshwara got built here goes like this:
King Rishabha Deva of Ayodhya renounced his worldly responsibilities and became Adinath, the first Tirthankar of Jain. He had 100 sons. But his two sons, Bahubali and Bharat, are more popular than the rest. When Rishabh Dev renounced all worldly desires, he passed on his kingdom to his sons.
However Bharat was the most ambitious among his brothers. He conquered six divisions of earth in all directions (digvijaya), and still wanted more. His 98 brothers became Jain monks and conceded their kingdoms to Bharata. He desired that Bahubali should concede his share, so that he could become the supreme ruler of the world.
Bahubali refused, but before their armies attacked each other, their intelligent ministers suggested that both of them should engage in hand to hand combat to avoid unnecessary bloodshed of the soldiers. (I wish today’s world leaders took a lesson from this.)
Jain pilgrimage to the Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola
There were a series of duels, like the water duel where the brothers stood in knee deep water and sprayed water on each other, the sight duel when they had to stand in sun and stare at each other. The one who blinked first lost. Bharat was constantly losing the duels.
Bahubali is described as someone with an impressive physique, taller and stronger than his 99 brothers. He was a clear winner in the duels. In the final round of wrestling Bahubali picked up Bharat, whirling him around in the air, he was about to throw Bharat down.
Bharat and Bahubali fight By Jain cloud – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44541447
Just that moment a thought crossed his mind, “Such pride is false. What good is being a king or a supreme ruler of the world? Such desires are endless. Fulfilment of such desires cannot lead to peace of mind.” Bahubali gently put his brother down on his feet. He renounced his kingdom and set out to seek true happiness.
Bahubali spent many years in meditation and penance. According to legend, he stood meditating for such a long time that anthills formed on the ground where he stood, snakes lay coiled at is feet, and creepers grew around them.
At the feet of Gomateshwara Bahubali at Shravanabelagola
Gomateshwara, the Jain Saint
Bahubali meditated motionless in a standing posture for a year. Creepers grew on his motionless body. He continued his penance unmindful of the vines, ants, and dust that enveloped his body. According to Jain text, Ādi purāṇa, on the last day of Bahubali’s one year long fast, Bharata came in all humility to Bahubali and worshipped him with veneration and respect.
The remorse of humiliating his own elder brother disturbed his meditation continuously. When Bharata worshipped him, he was relieved of all regret and cleanse his mind. He attained omniscience (kevala gyana). Since then Bahubali was revered as an omniscient being. Bahubali finally attained liberation (moksha) at Mount Kailasah.
About Gomateshwara Statue Shravanabelagola
Who built the Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola?
Chamundrai, the prime minister of King Rachmalla II of Ganga dynasty, built a colossal statue of Gomateshwara, Bhagwan Bahubali. He was appreciated for his efforts and was rewarded the epithet, Gommta-Raya. The colossal statue was consecrated under the guidance of the great Acharya Nemi Chandra Siddhant Chakravarti in 981 A.D.
What are the dimensions of Bahubali statue in Shravanabelagola?
Dimensions of the features of the Bahubali statue that I could gather from a pamphlet that was sold at the base of the foothill are: Head – 11 ft. Neckline to navel 10 f ft. 11 in. Each arm – 30 ft. Nose – 3 ft. 9 in. Ears – 5 ft. 10 in. Pen is – 4 ft. It is carved out of a single block of granite.
- Credited to be the tallest monolithic statue in the world without any support
- Gomateshwara statue of a Jain saint stands 60 feet tall
- Located in Vindhyagiri, a hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka
- Other names are Kammateswara, Gommateeshwara
I had read all these above interesting facts of Gomateswara statue before visiting Shravanabelagola. But nothing prepared me for that first sight of the colossal Bahubali statue! The temple has no roof yet not one part of the statue was visible from outside. As I crossed over the doorstep I first sighted the purohit busy offering prayers. As I kept walking my neck turned up, up and up till I sighted the head!
The face with half-closed eyes and a gentle, serene smile! It was hypnotic to say the least. Only after I recomposed a bit my eyes scanned the statue for its finer details. Jain poet Hemchandra had described the Gommateshwara statue as “verily the personification of tranquillity”.
As my neck cricked, my gaze floated down scanning the other details. The creepers grew symmetrically on both arms and thighs, while the saint stood motionless. Snakes winding the anthills were minuscule in size compared to the ever still monk. It was a mix of childlike innocent expression on face with the body of a muscular wrestler.
I looked for a path to climb the upper gallery, but they kept it locked to prevent people from crowding over the structure.
Gomateshwara Bahubali at Shravanabelagola India The dimensions of the features of the statue that I could gather from a pamphlet that was sold at the base of the foothill are: Head – 11 ft. Neckline to navel 10 f ft. 11 in. Each arm – 30 ft. Nose – 3 ft. 9 in. Ears – 5 ft. 10 in. Pen is – 4 ft.
Five Monolithic statues of Bahubali in Karnataka
There are four more Bahubali statues scattered at different locations in Karnataka. This one, in Shravanabelagola, is the tallest of all. The other four are in
- Karkala, Udupi district, that measures 12.8 m
- Dharmasthala, Dakshin Kannada District that measures 11.9 m
- Venur, Dakshin Kannada District, that measures 10.7 m
- Gommatagiri, Mysore District that measures 6 m
There is a small one in Aretippur, Mandya district, that measures 3 m. Read more: Jain Idols at Aretippur
Climb up Vindhyagiri
There are 600 roughly cut steps up the Vindhyagiri where the Gomateshwara Temple is located. I was sure it would be easy climb, kids too agreed to go up without any fuss. We had to leave our footwear before proceeding to climb. Soon we were surrounded by vendors offering their cane chair services. Couple of them would carry us to the hilltop. I knew it was their bread and butter, felt sorry to refuse their services.
I stopped once we were at a good height to capture the view of the village that lay cradled between the hills Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri. There are iron railings to hold on to in case you need support.
Timings
Shravanabelagola temple timings are 6.30 AM to 11.30 AM and 3.30 PM to 6.30 PM.
Bahubali feet – Discovering the beauty of the monolithic Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola
Festivals in Gomateshwara Temple
After installing the huge statue of Gomateeshwara, Chamunda Raya performed the great ceremony of consecration of the image on March 13, in 981 AD. The ceremony was conducted according to Jain scriptures in a manner that matched the enormity of the image.
This anointing ceremony came to known as Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka Mahotsav. It is performed every 12 years on auspicious dates calculated from location of heavenly bodies.
Souvenirs in the Village of Sravanabelagola
In the village at foothill there are several shops selling the statue of Bahubali, Gomateswara, ranging in sizes from five inch onward in every possible color of stone.
How to Reach Shravanabelagola
Nearest airport to Gommateshwara temple in Shravanabelagola is Bangalore. Nearest railway station is Hassan 50 km away. There are buses plying frequently from Bangalore and Mysore. You can hire private taxis that will drop you off at the place.
Where to Stay
Both Hassan and Shravanabelagola has good stay options that will suit your budget.
Gomateshwara Statue Shravanabelagola – FAQ
What is the Gomateshwara statue?
The Gomateshwara statue is a massive statue of the Jain god Bahubali, located in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. It stands at a height of 57 feet and is considered to be one of the largest free-standing statues in the world.
What is the significance of the Gomateshwara statue?
The Gomateshwara statue is a massive statue of the Jain god Bahubali, located in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. It stands at a height of 57 feet and is considered to be one of the largest free-standing statues in the world.
How old is the Gomateshwara statue?
The Gomateshwara statue was built in the 10th century AD by the Ganga dynasty ruler Chavundaraya.
How was the Gomateshwara statue built?
The Gomateshwara statue was carved out of a single granite rock and was built using a technique called ‘anchored scaffolding.’ The scaffolding was anchored to the rock face, and workers carved the statue from the top down.
What is the best time to visit the Gomateshwara statue?
The best time to visit the Gomateshwara statue is between October and March, when the weather is cool and pleasant. It is also advisable to visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and the heat.
Is there an entry fee to visit the Gomateshwara statue?
Yes, there is an entry fee to visit the Gomateshwara statue. The fee for Indian nationals is Rs. 25, and for foreign nationals, it is Rs. 300. There are also additional charges for photography and videography.
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Read about it in my school days..
Lovely clicks.
Beutifull pictures, and a beautifull story to go with them (I support your suggestion to current world leaders)
OH wow that is BIGGGGGGGGGG
thanks for sharing and telling us all about it
Bikram's
Hi Indrani,
All post are excellent.
Good Work, Keep it up.
Superb writting!
I have visited Shravanbelgola 3 years before and liked the place very much.Good to see your post and feel like visiting again.
Really interesting pictures in both your sites!! I visited India many times and now i often are visiting your blog to see good indian pictures.
Ciao Marco
What am amazing, awe inspiring work of art and with what a legend behind it…
Reminded me of the beautiful Budhdhas that the Taliban destroyed… 🙁 Can't imagine how somebody could destroy something so beautiful and of such historical value! If only some of these rulers could feel like Bahubali did… 🙁
Maybe you could tell me – why did they make these massive Buddha statues, like the one here and the ones the talibs destroyed in Afghanistan? any relevance to the huge size? Typically Buddhists are not for a huge show, this aspect has confounded me…
Initially, while trying to post a comment in a hurry, I missed out on the story as well as was mistaken that this was the statue of budhha. But that's a really interesting story you have in this post with some great pictures. Thanks for sharing this nice post.
Many steps to get to the statue but am sure it's worth the climb 🙂 An interesting story.
It looks like seeing the statue was worth that climb.
The story is quite interesting and the pictures are great.
Splendid series of photographs and a great lesson: the ability to stop the roller-coaster ride to try the Truth.
A beautiful post, really thanks!
amazing post indrani … I liked the photos and also the way you have described your visit .. great work boss.. kudos ….
aabhar
vijay
pls read my new poem "झील" on my poem blog "
Hi Indrani!
Interesting post! I'm always learning any time I come here!!
Excellent pictures also!
Blogtrotter is now showing that Reykjavik is not entirely grey… ;)). Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!
Such a lovely story. I went to Shravanabelagola over 3 decades ago – and I don't remember the nice steps that you have shown in your picture. I remember it was blazing hot, and we practically ran up the hill non-stop, so that our bare feet did not get burned.
Fantastic Indrani. As you say, sometimes, words are too much
Beautiful photos!
Bahubali was a wise man and deserves a fitting monument.
Yes, I wish our leaders would duel to solve things instead of having wars. They would be much more likely to find peace without bloodshed.
Fascinating information and photographs.
Nice to know about this Jain Site !
Beautiful images and commentary.
Thanks for sharing and for providing some insight about the country, people and culture.
beautifully narrated and glorious images!
Nice account. And well, we make so many statues of gods and people that we forget the significance of their greatness. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Beautiful pictures, Indrani!
Our leaders should learn very much from this story.
Have a nice week!
Did you climb so many steps 😉
Wonderful shots !!
Lovely and clear words written.
That statues is soooo BIG 🙂
Amazing statue! And I like it all the more for the wonderful Story behind it.
This statue is so beautiful. I remember visiting more than 20 years ago!
What a great story and photos. I enjoyed the post.
Thanks for stopping by my site.
Very nice and informative, as usual and lovely pictures. The suggestion that world leaders should copy the idea of putting off war is an excellent one.
Excellent post, Indrani. The photos are magnificent and the text is well written. I also wish that other world leaders would learn from this.
amazing post…great description with great photographs as always
That's quite a story and lesson, too bad modern world leaders don't study it carefully! Love the photos, too, especially the robed man at the feet. Beautiful!
Such a gigantic statue!! Loved the story behind it and most of all your last line.."certain experiences are silencing!"
I wish today’s world leaders took a lesson from this. 🙂
wonderfully written…
Indrani,
What a beautiful story. Loved reading it.
Sorry have been MIA for a month now. Work + vacation + house guests are my excuses. Hope to be more regular from now on.
Wow that's one huge statue. India is really amazing. One of these days…hmmm…soon I hope I can visit India.
I've been there years back Indrani. To read about it from you is nice. Thank you for sharing.
What an amazing story. Huge statue. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'll be back here. (((Hugs))) Jo (South Africa)
Hi Indrani
Nice post and beautiful pictures.Once we happened to drive into Sravanabelagola – but it turned out to be some festival day and the crowds were humongous. Hence we totally missed seeing the statue. Hope to make it again some time again in future.Isn't Bahubali also known as Statue of Gomateswara? Once I saw the live proceedings of the Maha Mahamastabhisheka on TV.That was really awesome.
Rgds Ram
That's a huge statue – great photos. Love the tiny (in proportion) organ.
What a great story. Those stairs look a little intimidating. But the statue is magnificent. Great captures.
What an interesting world to me ! and these statues they are sooo huge !! Very impressive !
Wonderful pictures. I have been visiting your blog for a while and I'm very much inspired by the way you are clicking the shots.
Keep snapping and blogging (-:
That would be an interesting climb. The people are dwarfed by the big statute. Love the details.
Very interesting moral story, well illustrated as well.
fabulous photos! It is really a huge statue. I like the unique last photo, as i see it.
Wow that's a whole lot of steps to climb but am sure the bonus of the view up there is worth it. Very beautiful post.
What an amazing place! And such lovely photographs you've shared.
I recently went to Portugal where a wealthy man created a fake Buddhist garden, with gigantic imported garden statues.
Your site is the real thing. I wish I could visit there.
i love the story behind..have heard it a 100 times and still wanna hear it more, just doesnt suffice.
Seldom hear much about the Jain culture. Thank you so much for sharing Your World.
You're right, that entire Shravanabelagola experience is special. And I heartily echo your wish too.
Absolutely fascinating narrative and as always the images are beautiful.
620 steps? That would deter me from seeing that in person. But who knows, right?
Great post. Fascinating as always.
Beautiful snaps. This is one place near Bangalore that I have not seen yet.
That's amazing! Really awesome post. When I look at the bottom picture I can't help but think that it would make a very interesting fountain.
Marvelous shots, Indrani! And I love reading the history behind the shots that you share with us. A great post as always!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
quite a history behind this amazing statue. the trek to it is most rewarding obviously.
reminds me of a stairway i took to a temple in china that went on and on and on. but once at the top it was the most spectacular view ever and the temple was pretty amazing too.
Wow, that is some amazing statue. i love the story behind it. Wouldn't it be nice if our leaders could be so wise.
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