Visit Gomateshwara Statue (Bahubali Statue) at Shravanabelagola (2024)

Located in Shravanabelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka, with a height of 17 metres, the Gomateshwara statue is believed to be the highest monolithic statue throughout the world. This monolithic statue standing at the very top of the hill is believed to be so tall that one can see it even from as far as about 30 km away. It is said to be built by Chamundaraya, the general of the King Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty in the 10th century. Gomateshwara Statue (Bahubali Statue) at Shravanabelagola Image Source

Dedicated to Lord Bahubali, this monolithic statue located in Shravanabelagola is an eye-catcher. Many people from around the country come to visit this awe-inspiring statue and are left speechless in front of its beauty. This is one of the reasons why it is even considered as one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka.

Carved out of a single block of granite, this statue depicting Lord Gomateshwara, who was a renowned Jain saint, will make you fall in love with itself. In this article, we have collected all of the information which you must know before actually visiting the Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola. Continue reading to know more!

Why Should You Visit the Gomateshwara Statue in Shravanabelagola?

Built by Chamundaraya, a poet, minister, and general from the Western Ganga dynasty long back in history, this statue now serves as a sacred and popular pilgrimage site, especially for the Jains all over the world. The Shravanabelagola temple, also known as the Gomateshwara temple and Bahubali Temple, is immensely famous for its Mahamastakabhisheka festivities as well. If you are still searching for more reasons to visit this well–known religious tourist place in Karnataka, then continue reading as we have already prepared a list of compelling factors for you.

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Mahamastakabhisheka: This is a festival that is celebrated here once in every 12 years. This festival is considered extremely important for the Jain religious community, and during this time, devotees from all over the country flock here in huge crowds. During this festival, 1,008 vessels of water are sprinkled over the statue, after which the devotees bathe the statue in milk, sugarcane juice, ghee, curd, and paste of saffron flower. There are many rounds in this ceremony. People even leave some valuable offerings made of silver and gold at the feet of the statue as a token of their gratitude.
Inscriptions: One can find a number of inscriptions engraved on various sites around the Gomateshwara statue. There are many inscriptions written in Kannada and Tamil languages as well. It is believed that more than about 800 inscriptions engraved in sites near the Bahubali statue date as long as to time around 600 CE and 1830 CE in history. There is an inscription on the base of the statue as well that praises the great king who funded the effort and his general, Chamundaraya, who erected the Bahubali statue.
Location: The popular Gomateshwara statue or Bahubali temple is located on the beautiful Vindhyagiri Hills. To reach the top of the hill where the 58 feet tall monolithic statue of Bahubali is located, one has to climb about 614 steps. There are many other temples that are erected on the hill for you to worship.
Interesting Past: According to the Jain texts, Gomateshwara or Bahubali was the second son of the first Tirthankara of Jains. When there was trouble between Bahubali and his brother, Bharatha related to the kingdom, even though Bahubali defeated his brother in the combat, but he was still unhappy due to the sourness in their relationship. Hence, he gave up on the kingdom and went to achieve Kevala Jnana or Absolute Knowledge. This temple is hence built in his honor.

The Gomateshwara Statue Timings

Being conferred with the top spot among the seven wonders of India in the year 2007, this magnificent monolithic statue of Bahubali is considered as one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka. It is open every day. The timings are 6.30 AM to 6 PM on all days.

What Is The Best Way To Reach The Gomateshwara Statue or Bahubali Statue In Shravanabelagola?

This popular tourist place in Karnataka is well accessible by almost all means of transport. You can reach it easily by:

By Air: The nearest airport to reach the Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola is located in Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka state. The Bengaluru International Airport is approximately located about 145 km away from Shravanabelagola. From the airport, you can take a cab or hire a taxi to reach the destination.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach the Gomateshwara statue located in Shravanabelagola is the Hassan railway station. It is about 52 km away from the monolithic statue of Bahubali. You can take a cab or hire a taxi to reach your destination from the station.
By Road: A lot of people prefer traveling to Shravanabelagola by road. You can go in your personal vehicle. Otherwise, amazing regular bus services are available to reach Shravanabelagola from almost all of the major cities of the Karnataka state. The buses come frequently.

Best Time To Visit The Gomateshwara Statue In Shravanabelagola

For the best experience, it is often recommended to visit the statue during the early morning hours. This is because during this time, the weather is pleasant, and you get to admire the beautiful view of the Chandragiri Hills, Shravanabelagola village, and temple pond peacefully.

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What Are The Different Places To See Near The Gomateshwara Statue?

There are multiple interesting places located nearby this top tourist place to visit in Karnataka. Some of them you can include in your itinerary to enhance the experience are:

Vindhyagiri Temple: Situated on the Vindhyagiri hills near the Gomateshwara statue, this temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras Neminatha, Shantinatha, and Adinatha. Also known as the Odegala Basadi, to visit this beautiful temple, one has to first climb about 572 steps.
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Chandragiri Temple: This is another religiously significant shrine located in Shravanabelagola. Situated on the top of the Chandragiri Hills, this temple was built by Chamundaraya. Built using the best quality granite stone, the temple sports a beautiful interior, exterior and offers stunning views as well.
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