The Visit to this Gomateshwara Statue at Shravanabelagola, in Karnataka, was a part of the “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- between 28th - 30th July 2023, organized by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group. This Gomateshwara Statue is on the hill called Vindhyagiri Hills ( 1002 meters MSL ) a part of Shravanabelagola. To climb to the top of the hill, about 650 odd Steps are neatly cut on the rock with arches on the way. Vadegal basadi / Odegal Basadi is on the 3/4th of the hill.
ODEGAL BASADI
The Basadi is of trikuda Basadi without Vimanam, facing north. This Vadegal basadi is also called Odegal Basadi. The Odegal Basadi is so-called because of the stone props against its basement. It is the only Trikutachala temple at Shravanabelagola, Built of granite blocks, it is impressive for the commanding position it occupies. The three shrines are dedicated to Rishabhanatha, Neminatha and Shantinatha. All three idols are made of black color soap stone/schist.
The Basadi is of trikuda Basadi without Vimanam, facing north. This Vadegal basadi is also called Odegal Basadi. The Odegal Basadi is so-called because of the stone props against its basement. It is the only Trikutachala temple at Shravanabelagola, Built of granite blocks, it is impressive for the commanding position it occupies. The three shrines are dedicated to Rishabhanatha, Neminatha and Shantinatha. All three idols are made of black color soap stone/schist.
All the pillars in the main hall are circular in shape and the outer walls are very simple. In the three sanctums are beautiful images of Tirthankaras carved in schist. The temple is dateable to the 14th century CE. In literary works, the temple is known as Takuta Basadi.
Sri Neminath Tirthankar
GULLEKAI AJJI MANDAPAM
Siddhara Basadi is before the Gomateshwara shrine, dedicated to Siddha Bhagwan Tirthankara, and a small mandapa with pillars and a sculpture of an old lady with a Yaksha image on top. This mantapa is referred to as GullekaiAjji mantapa. Brahma Yakshi is in a standing posture.
Siddhara Basadi is before the Gomateshwara shrine, dedicated to Siddha Bhagwan Tirthankara, and a small mandapa with pillars and a sculpture of an old lady with a Yaksha image on top. This mantapa is referred to as GullekaiAjji mantapa. Brahma Yakshi is in a standing posture.
GOMATESHWARA STATUE
As per the legend, Gomateshwara was one of the sons of First Tirthankara Adinatha also known as Rishabhadeva. When Rishabhadeva left the kingdom, there was a tussle between Gomateshwara and his brother Bharata, to take over the empire. Even Though Gomateshwara had won the tussle with his brother Bharta, he was not satisfied and left the kingdom to his brother to get kevala jnana. He stood in the middle of the forest with snakes and wild animals around him. The creepers grew around his legs and body and finally attained the Kevala jnana. Even though he was the son of the First Tirthankara Rishabhadeva, attained Kevala jnana, observed as a digambara monk, he was not considered a Tirthankara.
As per the legend, Gomateshwara was one of the sons of First Tirthankara Adinatha also known as Rishabhadeva. When Rishabhadeva left the kingdom, there was a tussle between Gomateshwara and his brother Bharata, to take over the empire. Even Though Gomateshwara had won the tussle with his brother Bharta, he was not satisfied and left the kingdom to his brother to get kevala jnana. He stood in the middle of the forest with snakes and wild animals around him. The creepers grew around his legs and body and finally attained the Kevala jnana. Even though he was the son of the First Tirthankara Rishabhadeva, attained Kevala jnana, observed as a digambara monk, he was not considered a Tirthankara.
ARCHITECTURE
Gomateshwara also known as Bahubali is in kayotsarga standing posture on a lotus pedestal. The Gomateshwara statue is about 57 feet ( 18 Meter ) tall, open to the sky with Yaksha and Yakshini ( Must be the Chowry bearers ) on both sides. This Gomateshwara statue is considered the tallest free-standing sculpture in the world. Creepers are shown around the leg and hands. On the side hill like structure is shown with snake sculptures, comes out of Ant Hill. He is shown with elongated earlobes, curled hair, broad shoulders, hands handing freely up to thigh without touching, eyes partially open looking at the nose, and a beautiful smile on his face.
Gomateshwara also known as Bahubali is in kayotsarga standing posture on a lotus pedestal. The Gomateshwara statue is about 57 feet ( 18 Meter ) tall, open to the sky with Yaksha and Yakshini ( Must be the Chowry bearers ) on both sides. This Gomateshwara statue is considered the tallest free-standing sculpture in the world. Creepers are shown around the leg and hands. On the side hill like structure is shown with snake sculptures, comes out of Ant Hill. He is shown with elongated earlobes, curled hair, broad shoulders, hands handing freely up to thigh without touching, eyes partially open looking at the nose, and a beautiful smile on his face.
The outer mandapa has the images of 24 Tirthankaras in standing position. Gomateshwarar’s head is visible from a long distance.
The prahara and mandapa walls are constructed during Vijayanagara period. Vijayanagara architecture iconic sculptures related to Vaishnavism, like Ramayana Scenes, Maha Vishnu’s avatars can be seen on the wall and Pillars. The Tirthankara’s images are also installed along with the Vaishnavite images, which are protruding little out side.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
About 800 inscriptions are recorded from this temple from 10th century CE to 19th Century CE.
About 800 inscriptions are recorded from this temple from 10th century CE to 19th Century CE.
Tyagada Gamba
This small open pavilion with an upper storey is historically important. In the Centre of the pavilion is an elaborately carved pillar that is unmatched in artistic beauty. It was probably erected in the late 10th century. It is believed that Minister Chavundaraya distributed the gifts to the needy and the deserving from here. Another view is that he renounced from here all his worldly possessions including his life. The simple scroll designs elegant workmanship and bold lines bring out the best of the Ganga workmanship. The original inscription at the base was erased in about 1200 CE by Heggade Kanna. This Heggade installed the yaksha image on the top of this pillar and got a record engraved at its pedestal. Some five hundred years later an upper mandapa was built in brick and mortar.
This small open pavilion with an upper storey is historically important. In the Centre of the pavilion is an elaborately carved pillar that is unmatched in artistic beauty. It was probably erected in the late 10th century. It is believed that Minister Chavundaraya distributed the gifts to the needy and the deserving from here. Another view is that he renounced from here all his worldly possessions including his life. The simple scroll designs elegant workmanship and bold lines bring out the best of the Ganga workmanship. The original inscription at the base was erased in about 1200 CE by Heggade Kanna. This Heggade installed the yaksha image on the top of this pillar and got a record engraved at its pedestal. Some five hundred years later an upper mandapa was built in brick and mortar.
The Gomateshwara statue was installed in 981- 983 CE, by a Minister and a Commander Chavundaraja / Chamundaraja of the Western Ganga dynasty. The inscription at the base is engraved in different languages. The Inscription in Tamil records the installation of this Gomateswara alias Bahubali statue.
சிரவண பெளகொளாவில் உள்ள கொம்மடேஸ்வரர் சிற்பத்தின் கீழ் "சாமுண்டராஜந் செய்வித்தான்" என கிரந்த எழுத்திலும் தமிழ் வட்டெழுத்திலும் பொறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. "செ" என்ற எழுத்து குறில் ஒலிப்புடையது என உணர்த்துவதற்காக “ப்” புள்ளி இட்டுக் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. இது தொல்காப்பிய இலக்கண விதியின் படி அமைந்தது என்பது இங்கு நினைவு கூரத்தக்கது ).
ஸ்ரீ சாமுண்டராஜந் செய்வித்தான்
என இரண்டாம் வரியில் உள்ளது. சிரவணபெளகொளா கல்வெட்டு. ( Details Shri Ramachandran Sir, Thanks Sir. )
A Poem on Gomateshwara by Poet Boppana (1180 CE )
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HOW TO REACH
The Hill base is about 3 KM from Shravanabelagola railway Station, 50 KM from Hassan, 66 KM from Srirangapatna, 83 KM from Mysore and 144 KM from Bangalore.
Nearest Railway Station is Shravanabelagola
The Hill base is about 3 KM from Shravanabelagola railway Station, 50 KM from Hassan, 66 KM from Srirangapatna, 83 KM from Mysore and 144 KM from Bangalore.
Nearest Railway Station is Shravanabelagola
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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