Passing along the trunk road leading from Banglore to the western coast one's eyes are immediately arrested on approaching Channaraya patna, by a beautiful hill, bearing on its summit what appears at first to be a column. As one draws closer, one can see a colossal statue partially hidden behind the hill. This striking and unusual monolith, visible from miles away, marks the site of one of the most interesting tourist and religious spots in south India.
Shravana Belagola in the state of Karnataka derives its name from the Kannada words – bel or white and Gola or pond, in allusion to the splendid large tank in the middle of the area. The tank is also called Bhudevi mangala darsa- or simply Kalyani: the mirror of good fortune to the earth goddess.
It is a large village situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka. At 3347 feet above sea level stands this enormous statue of Gommatesvara popularly known as Bahubali or 'The One With Strong Arms.'
Bahubali was the second of the hundred sons of Tirthankara Rishabha, the founder of Jainism. A much revered figure among Jains, Bahubali’s story exemplifies the inner strength of Indians. He could have procured the title of Chakravartin - an emperor, but he chose to give up everything and became a Digambara Jain monk. Bahubali meditated motionless for an entire year in kayotsarga posture or “standing meditation” because of which climbers grew around his legs, thus the vine motif on the legs of this statue.
This place, at the foot of the Vindhya hills, became a consecrated place for meditation by rishis on their path to obtain moksha or freedom from the cycle of re-birth.
These ascetics were fore-warned of a dreadful famine which would last 12 years, upon which the whole sangha or Jaina religious brotherhood foresook the northern regions and under his leadership migrated to the south. The festival of Mahamastak Abhishek thus, has a gap of 12 years between it’s celebration.
The stage is set for the elaborate Mahamasta
