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News India Live, Digital Desk: The land of India holds many mysteries and stories within itself. Somewhere the forts tell the story of their bravery, while somewhere the temples give the message of peace. One such wonderful and holy place is Shravanabelagola located in Hassan district of Karnataka, which is not just a pilgrimage but a living confluence of history and faith. It is a place that bears witness to the renunciation of a great emperor and one of the largest monolithic statues in the world.
What is the meaning of Shravanabelagola?
This name is made up of two Kannada words – ‘Bel’ meaning white and ‘Gol’ meaning lake. There is a very beautiful pond in the middle of this place, due to the white color of its water it is called Shravanabelagola. This place is situated between two hills, Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri.
57 feet tall Bahubali sitting on Vindhyagiri hill
As soon as you reach Shravanabelagola, a huge statue standing on the Vindhyagiri hill from a distance attracts your attention. This is a 57 feet tall grand statue of Lord Bahubali of Jainism. It is also known as Gomateshwara statue. You will be surprised to know that this giant statue is not made from any joined stone, but by carving a single granite stone. This is the reason why it is considered one of the tallest monolithic statues in the world.
This statue was built around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a minister and commander of the Ganga dynasty. This statue with a calm smile on its face, curly hair and long ears is a wonderful symbol of peace and renunciation.
Relationship between Chandragiri Hill and Emperor Chandragupta Maurya
The second hill is Chandragiri, which is directly related to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire. According to Jain beliefs and inscriptions, Chandragupta Maurya left the kingdom in the last days of his life and came to Shravanabelagola with his guru Bhadrabahu. It was here on Chandragiri hill that he performed penance like a Jain monk and left his body. This hill was named Chandragiri after his name.
‘Mahamastakabhishek’ held every 12 years
The biggest identity of Shravanabelagola is the ‘Mahamastakabhishek’ ceremony held here once every 12 years. This is a grand event, in which lakhs of devotees gather from across the country and abroad. On this day, the 57 feet high Bahubali statue is anointed with many things like milk, saffron, ghee, sandalwood and holy water. This sight is so amazing that it is also called Mahakumbh of Jainism. The previous Mahamastakabhishek was held in 2018 and the next one will be held in 2030.
This place is not just a pilgrimage, but it shows us a form of sacrifice, peace and art that has been attracting people for thousands of years even today.