Mysore Maharaja Palace, MysoreChurch in MysoreTemple in Mysore
Mysore PalaceMysoreMysore - City of Palaces

















Read about the famous Gomateshwara statue at Sharvanabelagola. Shravanbelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage center.

Mysore : Mysore Excursions : Shravanabelagola



Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola is another place worth visiting while at Mysore. Shravanabelagola is famous for the monolith of Bahubali or Gommateshwara. 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.

Shravanabelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage center situated on top of the Indragiri hills. The small town of Shravanabelagola is about 84km from Mysore. The hill has 14 basadis or temples and many Jain monasteries. The most famous basadi is the Chavundaraya basadi that was built in 982 AD. The beautifully carved pillar called the Tyagada Brahma Pillar is also found here. The floral designs on this pillar are exceptional.The most important tourist attraction here is the enormous statue of Bahubali or Gommateshwara. He was a King who renounced his kingdom and spent the rest of his life meditating till he attained Nirvana.

The naked statue of Gommateshwara is 58 feet high and 26 feet wide and has 10 feet long feet. The statue was carved out of the black granite of the hill and is a picture of serenity and composure. Thousands of devotees gather here once in 12 years to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka or sacred anointment, which is a grand and extravagant ceremony. Hundreds of pots of curd, milk, honey vermilion, coconut water, turmeric paste and even gold and precious jewels are poured over the statue's head by the priests. The Mahamastakabhisheka will be held this year i.e. 2006AD.







[an error occurred while processing this directive]