Shravanabelagola, in Karnataka, is the oldest and most important pilgrimage centre for Jains. Here is the site of the huge 17m high naked statue of Bahubali (Gomateswara), said to be the world’s tallest monolithic statue. It overlooks the small town of Shravanabelagola from the top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri. Its simplicity and serenity is in complete contrast to the complexity and energy of the sculptural work at the temples of Belur and Halebid. The word Shravanabelagola means the Monk of the White Pond.
Shravanabelagola has a long historical pedigree going back to the 3rd century BC when Chandragupta Mayurya came here with his guru Bhagwan Bhadrabahu Swami, after renouncing his kingdon. In the course of time, Bhadrabahu’s disciples spread his teachings all over the region, firmly establishing Jainism in South India. The region found powerful patrons in the Gangas who ruled the southern part of what is now Karnataka between the 4th and 10th centuries, and it was during this period that Jainism reached the zenith of its influence.
The statue of Bahubali was constructed during the reign of the Ganga King Rachamalla. It was commissioned by a Military Commander in the service of Rachamalla, and carved out of granite by the sculptor Aristenemi in 981 AD. Bahubali was the son of the Emperor Vrishavadeva, who became the first Jain Tirthanksr, Adinath. Bahubali and his brother Bharatha competed fiercely for the right to succeed their father, but, on the point of victory, Bahubali realised the futility of the struggle and renounced his kingdom. He withdrew from the material world and entered the forest, where he began to meditate in complete stillness until he attained enlightenment.
Once in 12 years the statue of Bahubali is anointed with thousands of pots of coconut milk, yoghurt, ghee, bananas, jaggery, dates, almonds, poppy seeds, milk, saffron and sandalwood paste during the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony. This will take place again in 2005.
In addition to the statue of Bahubali, there are several interesting Jain bastis and mathas in the town and on Chandragiri Hill.
There are regular buses, from here, to Hassan, to Belur, to Bangalore and to Mysore. I have been to all these places and also to Bahubali. Everytime I go there, I become doubly conscious of the cultural unity of India. In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, ’’ He Mor Chitta Punya Tirthe Jagore Dhire, Eie Bharater Mahamanaber Sagara Teere.’’