Shravanabelagola is a place worth visiting while at Mysore or at Hassan. The monolith of Baghwan Bahubali or Gommateshwara is the main attraction here. There are two stony hills called Chandragiri and Indragiri. Chandragiri is famous for the Chandragupta Basadi built by the Gangas. Indragiri is famous for the Chavendaraya Basadi and the gigantic statue of Gommateshwara. He was a King who renounced his kingdom and spent the rest of his life meditating till he attained Nirvana. The statue was carved out of the black granite of the hill and is a picture of serenity and composure.
The town has been a prominent centre for Jain art, architecture, religion and culture for over two millennia.
As you approach the village of Sravanabelagula from Hassan, you will get the first glimpse of Gommateshwara standing tall over the temple like this:
The steps leading to the temple on top of Chandragiri Hills.
Once you are on top of the hill and outside the temple you can only see the face of Gommateshwara.
As you walk around the temple you can see his head from behind.
Once you are inside the temple, you can see this gigantic statue.
Look at the great symmetry! Flawless sculpture! The size? 58 feet high and 26 feet wide. Amazing talent, those sculptures were able to do this in such a gigantic proportion so many years back without any sophisticated instruments!
A close up of Gommateshwara. He is quite good looking!
1 comment:
Heard so much abt this place but haven't got an opportunity yet to visit this beautiful place.
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