Sravanabelagola - ಶ್ರವಣಬೆಳಗೊಳ

This is one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrimage centers in India, and the site of the huge 17 m-high naked statue of Bahubali (Gomateshvara). It was carved out of granite in 981 AD during the reign of the Ganga king, Rachamalla. Said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue, it overlooks the sedate country town of Sravanabelagola ("Monk of the White Pond") from the top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri. Its simplicity and serenity is in complete contrast to the complexity and energy of the sculptural work at the nearby temples of Belur and Halebid. Sravanabelagola has a long historical pedigree dating back to the 3rd century BC when Chandragupta Maurya came here with his guru after renouncing his kingdom.

This popular Jain pilgrim center is picturesquely situated between two hills Indragiri and Chandragiri. From time immemorial, this has been reputed as a seat of learning of Jainism. The monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara or Bahubali, a Jain saint, stands majestically on top of the hill (altutude 930 metres). The nearly 1000-year-old statue (17 metres high), created during the time of Chamundaraya, a minister of Ganga King Rajamalla, is said to be the tallest and one of the most graceful in the world. There are several Jain bastis on the hills and 43 images of Thirthankars. One has to climb about 500 rock-cut steps to reach the summit. At the plains, there is a charming Belagola Lake.