The steep climb up the Vindyagiri hills in Sravanabelgola, in Hassan District, Karnataka was at about 10 am. The sun was shining brightly but not blazing hot. We were able to climb the 700 odd rock cut steps after many stops to gasp at the panoramic view as well as to catch our breath. Regulars seemed to be sprinting up much to our amazement. There is a tank in the midst of this town called “Belagola” In Kannada (the state language), ‘Bela’ means white and ‘kola’ means the pond, an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town. Shravanabelagola is a holy place for Jains. Their Guru is residing here in a Mutt. There is a Sanskrit Patashala to study Sanskrit and Shastras.
After spending our energies on the steep climb we were rewarded by the magnificient monolithic 58 ft tall Gammateshwara statue, also called Bahubali by the jains built in 981 AD.
Mahamasthakabhisheka or the head anointing ceremony of the Lord Gommateshwara Bhagawan Bahubali is being performed once in every twelve years in Jain dharmic cycle and is part of the ancient and Indian tradition.
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