History of Shravanabelagola

~~~~SHRAVANABELAGOLA~~~~

This town is located in the midst of two hills. There is a tank in the midst of this town called “BELAGOLA” and the town is called by the same name.

This town is 8 miles from Channaraayapatna in Hassan District. Here is a Town Municipality for the past 70 years.

Sravanabelagola is a holy place for Jains. Their Guru is residing here in a Mutt. There is a Sanskrit Patashala to study Sanskrit and Shastras.

This town has got some historical references, which add to the sensity and also importance of this place. According to the tradition of the Jain Bhadrabahu, one of the Sritakavalli as the successor of Vardhamana (Mahaveera) passed away here in a cave on Chandrabetta while elading a migration to the South from Ujjain due to a 12 year famine which he had predicted as his chief attendant by the Maurya Emperor Chandragupta who had abdicated the throne and in accordance with Jain rules adopted the life of a hermit.

There are ancient monuments in and around Sravanabelagola. There are monuments of rare excellence and skill got executed by the illustrious Ganga and Hoysalas who had profound sense of duty and ardent devotion to religion. The chief monuments are found in two sacred hills known as the Vindhyagiri and the Chandragiri.

The Kalyani : - In the heart of the town there is a beautiful pond called as the Kalyani(bathing lake) and the Chandragiri.

The Vindhyagiri :- The hill is 470 feet above the surface of the soil. The hill is of one sold rock and about 500 steps have been cut-out in the rock. On the hill thereis the Brahmadevaru temple. Besides there are the Chowwisa Thirthankara Basadi, Chennana Basadi, Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Brahmadevaru Kambha, Akhanda bagilu and Gullakayajji.

The most important monument is the image of Sri Gomateshwara. It is nude and stands erect facing the north. This monolithic image is carved beautifully with accurate sense of proportion. The face presents a serene expression and there are curly hairs over the head. It appears as though it is an ant hill and creepers encircle the things upto the waist. The image is simple, gigantic but majestic. It is about 57 feet high. There is no monolithic image of this height in the whole world. In the opinion of Ferguson ‘Nothing grander or more imposing exists anywhere out of Egypt and even there no known statue surpasses its height.

This image was got installed by Chavundaraya, the Minister of the Ganga King Rachamalla Sathyavakya, in 988 A.D according to inscription.

In consideration of the supreme importance the Government of Karnataka constituted a committee known as the Gomateshwara Research Committee with the Director of Geology as its Chairman. Preservation of the image intact was their main task and they have accomplished that laudable task.

The Central Department of Archaeology is responsible for its protection as a National Monument.

Numerous visitor arrive at Sravanabelagola to gaze at this and other monuments. But the most important occasion on which several thousands of persons from all over India pass through this place is a the time of Mahamastakabhisheka.

Mahamastakabhisheka : As the name suggests it is the anointing ceremony of the image; usually the auspicious occasion coincides once in 12 years.

According to Jain tradit9ion Gomateshwara is not a mere monolithic image. He is regarded as Jain saint and in fact is the symbolical expression of Bahubali, infact the image is of Bahubali Swamy, thereis a story as to how image was got carved.

Purudeva was the first Thirthakara. He had two sons by name Bharatha and Bahubali. Once they quarreled amongst themselves for the sake of kingdom. In that fight Bahubali succeeded. But he was overcome by grief and shame of seeing his defeated brother. His mind was transformed. He renounced the kingdom in favour of his brother and retired to penance and attained Kevalagnana and Bharatha got his image erected in Paudanapura.

After several years the hill was covered by ant-hills and serpents. He came to be recognized as Kukkuteswara. Only the pious could see the image, In course of time Chavaundaraya who had heard of the story resolved to have an image of the same description installed on the hill at Sravanabelagola. He accordingly discharged on arrow to the top of Indragiri and the figure of Gomateshwar flashed. The image was got carved under the supervision of a sage by name Arishtanemi.

It is to such an image is associated a good deal of traditional sanctity and the “Mahamastakabhisheka” is performed. Just on the eve of the ceremony scaffolding will be got constructed to help the priests and devotees to go up and offer worship. Worship will be offered according to Jain Agama. Just in front of the image will be placed articles of worship with 1008 pots filled with scared water and coloured in ceremonious manner. After sacred bath with milk and ghee is over the priest arrange for the great Abhisheka. Under the guidance of the Holy Swamiji, the priests pour 1008 pots of scared water over the image simultaneously by chanting Mantras. Then they pour Milk, Curds, Ghee, Sugar, Almonds, Gold flowers and Silver flowers wealthy devotees offer bids for the Kalasas, to obtain them and take the rare privilege of performing Abhisheka.

It has become customary to offer the first change of worship to the Ruler of Mysore who is held in great reverence. This ceremony is a rare one and it is arranged for the peace and prosperity of mankind.

CHANDRAGIRI (Chikkabetta): Just opposite to the Vindhyagiri a small hill is situated. Steps have been cut out in this hill and the ascent is not difficult. There are seven monuments of interest. They are :


Ø The cave of Bhadrabahau : The sacred feet of Srutakavali are being worshipped even now. It is said that Chandragupta Maurya worshipped those sacred feet till his last days.

Ø Kuge Brahmadevara Kambha : At the top of the pillar is seated the image of Brahma over it.
Ø Shantinatha Basadi.

Ø Bharateshwara : To the north of Shanthinatha Basadi.

Ø Mahanavami Mantapa.

Ø Parswanatha Basadi.

Ø Manastambha Basadi: A beautiful pillar with image of Jain seated in a small mantap with Gopuram on it is believed that this pillar was constructed in the 17th century by a Jain merchant by name Puttaiah.

Ø Kattale Basadi : This is situated to the left of Parswanatha Basadi and in fact this is the biggest of all the Basadis on this hill. Here one finds the image of Adinatha Thirthankara and also of pampavathi in the Kaisale.

Ø Chandragupta Basadi : It is situated to the north of Kattale Basadi. This is perhaps the smallest of all the Basadis. The beautiful workmanship of architecture found in this monument relates to the 12th century.

Ø Shasana Basadi : Because of the inscription in front of it, it is called like that, it has got a Garbhagruha, Sukhnasi and Navaranga. All are dedicated to the worship of Adinatha and Gomukha and Chakreshwari, the Yaksha and Yakshi.

Ø Majjigana Basadi: Dedicated to worship of Ananthanatha, the 14th Thirthankara.

Ø Chandraprabha Basadi: Located to the west of Shasana Basadi, it is dedicated to the worship of the Eight Thirthankara, Chandraprabha. The images of Shyama and Jwalamalini, Yaksha and Yakshi are to be found.

Ø Suparswanatha Basadi : Seven headed serpent is carved over the head of the image.

Ø Chavundaraya Basadi : This Basadi is said to have been got constructed in 982 A.D. by Chavundaraya as per inscription. It is dedicated to the worship of Neminathaswamy, the 22nd Thirthankara. The monument reveals workmanship of the Ganga and the Hoysala periods. This is constructed as the most beautiful of all the Basadis.

Ø Yeradukatte Basadi : It is located opposite to the Chavundaraya Basadi. The image of Adinatha is found inside with Yaksha and Yakshi.

Ø Savathigandharvana Basadi : It is dedicated to the worship of Shanthinatha, the 16th Thirthankara. It s seen from the inscription on the pedestal of the image that this Basadi was got constructed by Shanthaladevi, the queen of Vishnuvardhana, in 1123A.D.

Ø Tyerina Basadi : Resembling a Ratha.(Palanquin)

Ø Shanteswara Basadi.

Ø Iruve Brahmadevara temple : The image of Brahma is carved out of a solid rock on a miniature scale.

Ø Kanchina Pond and Lakki Pond: These are ponds.

o The Bhandara Basadi : Dedicated to the worship of 24 Thirthankaras. It is named after treasure of Hoysala king Narasimha. It has got a Garbhagruha. Suknasi and Navaranga. The image in Indian dancing pose is beautifully carved.

o Akkana Basadi : Dedicated to the worship of Parswanatha, it is constructed in Hoysala style. There is beautiful architecture inside the temple.

o Sidhanta Basadi : In this Basadi located to the west of the enclosure to Akkana Basadi were secured books relating to the Jain Sidhantha, in a dark room.

o General : It is interesting to note that round about Sravanbelagola there are beautiful monuments of Hoysala style particularly in Jinanthapura and Kambadahalli.

The monuments of Sravanabelagola are a display of artistic excellence, architectural genius and intense devotion to religion. A visit to Sravanabelagola will reveal the grandeur and beauty of art and architecture of the distant past. They stand prominent as ennobling edifices and enliven the career of the artist, the devotee and the historian, who will grudge to acknowledge that these monuments are living testimonies symbolizing the neatness of our nation in the fields of art, architecture and administration.

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