World's biggest monolith in stone

Standing tall on top of Indragiri hill, the statue of Gomateshwara is carved out of solid rock and rises to a height of 470 feet.

SHRAVANABELAGOLA: A view from Indragiri.

Shravanabelagola is a tiny town located in Hassan district, 157 km from Bangalore. The name is derived from the tank "Belagola" meaning "white tank". Nestled picturesquely between two sacred hills, Indragiri and Chandragiri, it houses monuments that date back to the 10th Century.

The statue of Gomateshwara is located on top of the Indragiri hill, a solid rock about 470 ft. in height. A flight of about 500 steps has been cut out of stone. The climb is rather steep and makes it seem long and exhausting. However, on entering the mantap, or the area where the statue stands, you can only stand in awe of the giant monolith.

Tradition

The image has been carved facing the north. The face is chipped with perfection to the last curl of hair and bears a profound expression of serenity and enlightenment. Standing next to the pair of huge feet are two Gate Keepers in Hoysala style. The image was installed by Chavundaraya, the minister of the Ganga king Rachamalla Sathyavakay, in 988 A.D. lining the four walls of the mantap is a corridor that houses the figures of the Jain Tirtankaras, of whom Mahavir was one.

According to Jain tradition, the image of Gomateshwara is not just a monolithic structure, but also a symbolic expression of the Jain saint Bahubali, whose story is known in every house in that region.

It is said that along ago, there lived a ruler named Rishaba, the first Jain Tirthankara. He had two sons, Bharata and Bahubali. Hunger for power caused the brothers to fight and Bahubali won.

But, overcome with remorse and shame, Bahubali renounced the kingdom in favour of his brother, retired to do penance. He attained kevalagnana. Bharatsa had Bahubali's image erected in Paudanapura. Many years passed and anthills and serpents covered the hill. He came to be recognised as Kukkuteshwara and only the pious could see his image. In course of time, Chavundaraya, who had heard of the story, resolved to have an image of the same description installed on the hill at Shravanabelagola. He, accordingly, shot an arrow to the top of the hill and the figure of Gomateshwara flashed. The image was carved under the supervision of a sage named Arishtanemi.

Once in 15 years there is a Mahamasthakabhisheka, an anointing ceremony, in honour of Bahubali.

(Published in The Hindu Young World dated Oct. 7, 2005)