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ಗೊಮ್ಮಟೇಶ್ವರ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆ
Shravanabelagola, Karnataka · 12.8540°, 76.4847°
A 57-foot monolith of Bahubali carved atop Vindhyagiri hill — among the largest free-standing statues in the world and the holiest tirtha of Digambara Jainism. Every 12 years the Mahamastakabhisheka anoints the colossus with milk, saffron and gold flowers before millions (last held 2018). Chandragupta Maurya is held by Jain tradition to have died in meditation on the facing hill c. 3rd c. BCE.
Bahubali defeated his brother Bharata for the empire, then in the moment of victory renounced everything, standing in meditation so long that vines climbed his limbs — the statue shows them still twining as he attains kevala jnana.
Shravanabelagola is about 145 km from Bengaluru, with regular buses and taxis from Hassan and Mysuru, and has its own railway station served by trains from Bengaluru and Mysuru; Mysuru airport is roughly 85 km away. The monolith stands on the hill above the town, reached by climbing more than 600 rock-cut steps.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Western Ganga