Atop the hillock in Hassan district of Karnataka, stands the revered pilgrimage spot of the Jains, the Gomateswara temple of Shravanbelagola. Here stands the huge monolith of Lord Gomateswara or Lord Bahubali, imposing in its structure, serene in its presence. The land had been a revered place for Jains since ages with Chandra Gupta Maurya believed to have lived and died here after taking up Jainism. The statue of Bahubali is believed to have consecrated by Chavundaraya, in 981 AD. Inscriptions around the temple display the antiquity of the structure.

Location Karnataka , Hassan, Bangalore

Legend

Bahubali was the son of Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara of Jainism. Bahubali is a much revered saint among Jains. After a duel with his brother, he is said to have abdicated all worldly possessions and meditated motionless for a whole year in standing position. After one year of meditation, Bahubali is considered to have become Arihanta (God in Jainism).

Architecture

The temple is on the top of a hill, with stone steps leading to it. The first shrine houses the sanctum of many Tirthankaras. More steps, through beautiful carvings and stone cut architecture leads to the shrine where the towering structure of Lord Bahubali is built. The idol is 57 feet in height and is carved from a single stone. Pillars, mantapas, smaller shrines, inscriptions and arches are spread across the area.

Culture

Hassan was the seat of the erstwhile Hoyasala empire. Many temples across the area epitomises the brilliance of Hoyasala style of architecture. Shravanbelagola has been a popular Jain pilgrim centre since the age of Ganga dynasty around the 10th century

Picture courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Shravanabelagola Gomateswara temple timings:  6-30 AM to 11-30 AM and 3-30 PM to 6-30 PM. Mahamasthabhisheka, the head anointing and sacred bath ceremony of the Lord, which is celebrated once in 12 years sees a huge gathering of Jain devotees from around the country. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative clothing

Famous Festival

April - Ugadhi, Akshaya Trithiya

November - Diwali, Mahavira Nirvana

Temple Rituals

The priests perform Lord Bahubali Paada Puja every morning.

Special Rituals

There are special pujas on Sunday.

Additional Info

 

Jain Mutt serves free food.

Hotel Raghu

 

 Supermarket : Available