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Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola

pilgrimage site · Karnataka

State
Karnataka
Type
Pilgrimage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
1+

Shravanabelagola is among the most important Jain pilgrimage centres, dominated by the colossal 17-metre monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwara) atop Vindhyagiri hill — one of the world's tallest free-standing statues. Every twelve years it is the site of the Mahamastakabhisheka, when the statue is anointed from a scaffold built over its head.

When to go

Best visited October to March, though hill shrines may open only May-October.

Why visit

Home of the giant 17 m Bahubali monolith and the grand 12-yearly Mahamastakabhisheka — a key Jain pilgrimage.

Cultural notes

A centre of Digambara Jainism for over a thousand years, Shravanabelagola's Gomateshwara statue, consecrated around 981 CE, is a masterpiece anointed in the famed Mahamastakabhisheka festival.

How to reach

Nearest airport Bengaluru/Mysuru; reached by road (~150 km from Bengaluru), often with Belur-Halebidu.

Shravanabelagola guide & itineraries

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