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Shravan Belgolla Karnataka
History
The Bahubali Gammateshwara at Shravanabelagola of Karnataka state in India is one of the most important and sacred place for the Jains in India. This place is famous as a pilgrimage center for Jainism and has reached the top level in the architectural and sculptural works under the privileges of Western Ganga Dynasty of Talakkad. The famous Chandragupta king died at this place in 298 BC after he adopted to Jain culture and became a monk. He lived a saint life. Jainism here is of more than 2000 years old.
Shravanabelagola is a place which is around 13 kms from Channarayapatna in Hassan District of Karnataka and is around 51 kms on the south eastern side of Hassan which is a district head quarters. It is also at a distance of 12 kms in the southern direction from Bangalore-Mangalore National Highways 48. The other important pilgrimage center viz Halebidu is around 78 kms from here and Belur is at a distance of 90 kms. The other important centers are also placed at an average distance of around 80 kms. The name White Pond of the Shravana refers to the image of Gommata, and Shravana is added to differentiate it from other Belagolas. The prefix Hale and Kodi are added. White Belagolaie, or White Pond refers to the pond which is situated in the middle of the town. The pond in Sanskrit means Svetasarovara, Dhavalasarovana and Dhavalasaras and these are used in the inscriptions producing these meanings. Also, this place is known as Devara Belagola and referred as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Kasi) in some places. Also, it is said that Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills are the places where Acharya Bhadrabahu and his disciple Chandragupta Maurya meditated here. Chandragupta Basadi was built by Ashoka which was dedicated to Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragiri mentions reference to different monks and sravakas having meditated there.
More Description
The Gammateshwara is of 57 ft height and is on Vindhyagiri Hill. This is the world’s largest monolithic monument made of Stone. The sculpture has its base, inscriptions in Kannada as well as old Marathi (Devnagari script which is referred to way back as 981 AD) and appreciates the dedication of the king who installed the statue in his mother’s memory. Once in 12 years, thousands of people visit here for the Mahamastakabhisheka, which is a famous ceremony where one can see the statue being bathed in Milk, Curds, Ghee, Safron and Gold Coins. The next Mahamastakabhisheka is due in 2018. More than 800 inscriptions are found in this place which is dated back to 600 to 1830 AD. Shravanabelagola happens to be an important place for the olden days Bhattaraka Matha, which belongs to Desiya Gana in the path of Mula Sangh from Digambara Monastic tradition. Engineering colleges are named after them. The Matha and Jain temples can be seen in Vindhyagiri hill.
Reach to the Place
One can reach Bangalore by Air and take a Bus or Cab to reach Shravanabelagola. From Hassan, plenty of buses and other modes of transports are available. It is essential that visiting this place brings happiness and pleasure in our mind and spirit.
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