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Shravanabelagola Temples

Shravana Belugola

About:
Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore. In Kannada (the state language), 'Bel' means white and 'kola' means the pond, an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town.Shravanabelagola is wedged between two rocky hills - Vindyagiri and Chandragiri.

The present Swamiji of Shravanabelagola: The present Swamiji of the Dharmapeetha of Shravanabelagola is Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji. His earlier name was Rathnavarma. He accepted his sainthood when he was 20 years of age. Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji became the seer of the Dharmapeetha of Shravanabelagola on 19th April 1970.

Location info:
Address:Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore.
District:Hassan
Nearest City:Channarayapattana
Best time to visit: The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter (between October to February) where the travelers can enjoy the most of Karnataka

Climate/Weather:
Karnataka might not be called as the best state in India, but it is certainly catching up. The credit definitely goes to the stimulating climate that induces people for a holiday tour to this state again and again. The tropical monsoon climate that covers the entire coastal belt of Karnataka, gives the state a moderate summer and pleasant winters. The Southern part of Karnataka experiences hot, seasonally dry tropical savanna climate. The north Karnataka experiences hot, semi-arid, tropical steppe type of climate.

The months of January and February are slightly cold while summers begin from March and continues till May. Post monsoon begins from October and remains till December. The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter (between October to February) where the travelers can enjoy the most of Karnataka.

History:
Shravanabelagola Shravanabelagola in Hassan District is 157 km away from Bangalore is an important Jaina centre. There is a pond and two stony hills, called Chandragiri and Indragiri. Chandragiri has the Chandragupta basadi of the Gangas and the Parashwanatha basadi here is the biggest. The town below the hill has the Jaina matha whose walls have very old paintings. Indragiri has the Gommata monolith, 58' tall, installed by a Ganga general and scholar Chavundaraya, and also Siddhara basadi, Odegal basadi, Chennanna basadi and Chauvvisa Tirthankara basadi, and also the finely engraved pillar called Tyagada Brahma Pillar. The floral designs on it are excellent. To the north of town is Jinanathapura which has the Aregal basadi and the Shantinatha basadi of Hoysala times. Shravanabelagola has over 500 inscriptions, and some of them are recording death by starving (`sallekhana') by Jaina ascetics and laymen.

Interesting things to do:
Statue of Gomteshwara – World's Tallest Monolith Statue
Cave of Bhadrabahu where the Sacred feet of Sritakavalli is worshipped.
Manasthambha Basadi ­ Has a beautiful pillar constructed in 17th century.

Interesting things to Visit:
Vindhyagiri: The hill is about 470 feet above the ground. The 17.38 meter (58 ft) high monolithic stone statue of the Bhagavan Bahubali (Lord Gomateshwara) is loacted at the Vindhyagiri hill. The statue of Bhagawan Bahubali was installed by a Ganga general and scholar Chavundaraya and is said to be one of the tallest monolithic statues in the world. This statue is carved beautifully with accurate sense expression and there are curly hairs over the head.
The stone sculpture of Bhagawan Bahubali symbolizes renunciation, self-control and subjugation of ego as the first steps towards salvation. The digambara (nude) form of Bahubali represents the complete victory over earthly desires and needs that hamper spiritual ascent towards divinity.

Mahamastakabhisheka, the great head anointing ceremony of Bhagawan Bahubali have been performed once in every 12 years. The huge statue of Lord Gommateshwara is getting pooja by pouring thousands of pots of milk, ghee, sandal, saffron, flowers etc., from devotees attended from all over the world. The last Mahamasthakabhisheka was held here in February 2006. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018 A.D.

Chandragiri: Chandragiri, a small hill is located just opposite to the Vindhyagiri. Chandragiri has memorials to numerous monks and shravakas who have meditated there. Chndragiri also has famous jain temples and the tomb of Chandragupta Maurya, famous patron of Jainism can be seen.
Shravanabelagola is the seat of the ancient Bhattaraka Math, belonging to the Desiya Gana lineage of Mula Sangha of Digambar monstic tradition. The Bhattarakas are all named Charukeerthi.

Mobile range info:
 

How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Rail – the nearest railhead is at Hassan (50 kms). Regular trains connect Shravanabelagola to Hassan and further to the rest of the state.
Nearest Airport:Air – Nearest Airports are at Bangalore (157 kms) and Mangalore (230 kms). Regular flights of Jet and Indian Airways connect these cities with the rest of the country.
Road Transport:Road – Well linked roads connect Shravanabelagola to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan. Buses from Hassan are frequent.
Shravanabelagola is well connected by roads from major towns and cities of Karnataka. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular bus service to Shravanabelagola.
One should divert from Hirisaave to Shravanabelagola, and cover 18 kms to reach Shravanabelagola on Bangalore - Mangalore National Highway

Nearest Visiting places:
Halebid (Gem of Indian Architecture) – 30 kms, Belur (Temple Town) – 60 kms, Channarayapattana (Monumental Attractions) – 12 kms, Karkal – 20 kms.

Nearest Petrol Pump:
C.R.Patna

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Private Hotels and PWD Guest Houses.
Hotels are available at Channarayapattana. It is suggested to stay at Hassan.

Things to carry:
 

Tips & Suggestions:
Mahamastakabhisheka Festival ­ Held once in 12 years. Next will be in 2018.

Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:
Nearest Hospital:
Society/Community Phone Number

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