logologo
GOPS CREATIV :: REDISCOVERING MY LOST PASSIONS
  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • PHOTO GALLERIES
    • CULTURE
    • HERITAGE
    • LANDSCAPE
    • PEOPLE
    • NATURE
    • MORE NATURE
    • AND MORE NATURE
    • SOME MORE NATURE
    • STILL MORE NATURE
    • DRAGONS & DAMSELS
    • MORE DRAGONS & DAMSELS
    • LOTS OF LOTUS
    • FALLEN
    • FLOATING FANTASIES
    • SPIRITUAL
    • STREET
    • MORE STREETS
    • TRAVEL
    • KATHAKALI
    • COLORLESS CLASSICS
    • NATURE’S BRUSHSTROKES
    • HAMPI
    • THE SUN AND THE MOON
  • CREATIVE ART
  • BLOGS
  • LICENSE MY PHOTOS
  • BUY FRAMED PRINTS
    • KERALA BACKWATER
    • EAGLE OVER THE TOP
    • FARMER WITH BULLS
    • WESTERN GHATS
    • A BUG’S LIFE
  • CONTACT
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Previous Post
Next Post
Jan 24
in Indian architecture & Heritage 4 comments tags: bahubali, bangalore, Bhadrabahu, Brahmadeva, cave, chandragiri, chandragupta, Chikkabetta, Doddabetta, gomateshwara, gomateswara, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, hill, india, Indragiri, jain, jainism, maurya, monolithic, mysore, photography, pillar, route, SHRAVANABELAGOLA, south, statue, stone, tour, Tyagada, vindyagiri

A TRIP TO SHRAVANABELAGOLA

bahubali_1024

58 foot monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, built in the year 982 CE

“THERE IS NO ENEMY OUT OF YOUR SOUL. THE REAL ENEMIES LIVE INSIDE YOURSELF; THEY ARE ANGER, EGO, PRIDE, CURVEDNESS, GREED, ATTACHMENTS AND HATRED” :- Lord Mahavir

According to Jainism, Bahubali is considered the ideal of the man who conquers selfishness, jealousy, pride and anger. The 57 foot monolithic statue of Gomateshvara (Bahubali) at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for the followers of Jain Religion.

Shravanabelagola literally means “White pond of the ascetic”, which lies between two hills. The bigger hill is Indragiri/Vindyagiri (Doddabetta) and the smaller one is Chandragiri ( Chikkabetta).

One could witness 2000+ years of Jain history in this place. Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya (340 – 298 BC) spent his final years as a Jain monk at Chandragiri. He had conquered several parts of Indian peninsula inclusive of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Balochistan and the Maurya kingdom flourished well under the guidance of great philosopher Chanakya and as well through their alliance with Macedonian king Alexander and his successors.

In his later years, Chandragupta decided to embrace Jainism with the help of his spiritual guru Bhadrabahu and relocated to Shravanbelgola in 298 BC after renouncing the throne to his son Bindusara.  Chandragupta Maurya led the life of a hermit in Shravanabelagola and in 298 BC, he attained salvation using a Jain ritual called Sallekhana (fasting to death). Bhadrabahu cave, the place where he ended his life could be still found on top of Chandragiri hill.

Emperor Asoka built the monuments for several Tirtankaras (Jain Saints) at Chandragiri during 3rd century BC. Chandragiri hill is 3052 feet above sea level and there are around 350 to 400 steps to reach the hilltop. Jainism was at its peak during the rule of Western Ganga dynasty of Talakkad between 4 to 10th century AD. ( Read about Talakkad here ).

bahu2_1024

Chandragiri hill viewed from the top of Vindyagiri hill.

chandr_1024

Temples and monuments on top of Chandragiri hill

Bhadrabahu cave, on top of Chandragiri hill, where Chandragupta Maurya ended his life

chandrgiri_1024

Vindyagiri hill as seen from Chandragiri hill.

bahu1_1024

Steps leading to the top of Vindyagiri Hill.

bahu3_1024

The 45 degree climb could be tiresome to many people.

Bahubali was the son of King Adinatha . Bahubali had fought fierce battles against his brother Bharata for their kingdom . After his victory, he realized the shallowness of the materialistic world, gave away the kingdom to his brother, left his worldly possessions and became a saint. As a part of his penance, he stood still in meditation for such a long time that anthills formed at his feet and vines grew around his body. The Bahubali statue symbolizes the simplicity of human life and the supreme awareness attained through penance. The nudity of the statue indicates firm determination and self-control.

bahubali1_1024

Worship at the feet of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) the 58 foot monolithic statue.

bahubali2_1024

58 foot monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, dating back to 982 CE.

Right before the entrance to the Gomateshwara temple, one could find a mandap with an elegantly carved pillar (stambha) called  Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar inside it The pillar contains exquisitely carved relief work of four creepers surrounding it. The pillar that dates back to 983 AD was erected by Minister and Commander named Chamundaraya, of the Western Ganga kingdom.

Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar

carpenterbee2_1024

Flora and fauna on top of Chandragiri hill.

 


Shravanabelagola is situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka.

Routes :

  • Bangalore – Nelamangala – Channarayapattana – Shravanabelagola (143 Km)
  • Mysore – Srirangapatna – Pandavapura – KR Pet – Kikeri – Shravanabelagola (82 Km)

Share this:
5934
488
About the Author: GOPAN NAIR
Process Control Automation Engineer. Freelance Photographer and Graphic Designer

  • PANCHA BHOOTA ( पन्च भूत )
    [caption id="attachment_167" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Read more
    in Life in this India 0 comments
    461
  • SORROWS OF A FALLEN FLOWER ( വീണപൂവ് )
    [caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Read more
    in poetry 0 comments
    468
  • SARNATH, THE BIRTH PLACE OF BUDDHISM
    [caption id="attachment_816" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Read more
    in Indian architecture & Heritage, travel 2 comments
    531

4 Comments:

  1. Ezhil Ramalingam
    July 10, 2018
    Reply

    A fabulous trip to Shravanabelagola, Gopan, which took me 18 years back when I visited this great place !!! Your compilation of pictures and the narration are top-class. And I love the way you concluded this with the cactus and bumble bee !!!

    • GOPAN NAIR
      July 14, 2018
      Reply

      Thank you very much, dear Ezhil Sir. Really appreciate your usual support & encouragement.

  2. RAMESH AYYA
    March 25, 2019
    Reply

    I had been to this place when I was a child. We used to run all the way up. Could be really tiresome at this age. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Well written with lovely pictures.

    • GOPAN NAIR
      March 26, 2019
      Reply

      Thanks for your sincere words. It is never too old to rediscover the world. Get ready and go….


Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts
  • CHRYSILLA VOLUPE, THE RARE JUMPING SPIDER
  • A HINDU MONK FROM ITALY
  • LAUGHTER OF POVERTY
  • ABSTRACT REALITIES OF THE GREEN KIND
  • THE PARADOX OF ABSTRACT REALITY
Archives
  • January 2023 (1)
  • September 2021 (1)
  • January 2021 (1)
  • February 2020 (2)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • April 2018 (1)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • February 2018 (1)
  • January 2018 (3)
  • December 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (1)
  • October 2016 (2)
  • June 2016 (1)
  • March 2016 (1)
  • February 2016 (1)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (1)
  • November 2015 (1)
  • October 2015 (1)
  • September 2015 (1)
  • August 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (1)
  • June 2015 (1)
  • May 2015 (2)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (3)
  • January 2015 (12)
Flickr Photostream
Find me on FaceBook

Find me on Twitter
Follow @gopsphotography
Follow on Instagram
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 2023
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Sep    
2002~2017 GOPS Creativ. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading expressly prohibited.