SARAVANABELAGOLA

Saravanabelagola
Wedged between two star rocky hills, this legendary pilgrim center and shrine of the Jains. The monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint and an object of worship for centuries, standing atop one of the hills (Indragiri) is 18 meter high and is said to be the tallest monolithic statue in the world.

The symmetry in stone was created around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the Ganga King Rachamatta. The Mahamastakabhisheka festival, an elaborate ritual, held here once every 12 years, attracts devotees from all over the World. Priests climb up to pour pots of coconut water, turmeric paste, vermilion powder over the statue head.Just opposite is the smaller Chandragiri hill where some Jain temples and tomb of Chandra Gupta Maurya, famous patron of Jainism can be seen.

How to reach  saravanabelagola
Sharavanabelagola town is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan(the district headquarters) and 14 Kms from Channarayapatna, a Taluk centre. It is also connected by roads from major towns and cities. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates regular bus services from these places. Some of these routes are: Bangalore-145 Kms, Mysore-83 Kms, Hassan-52 Kms, Channarayapatna-14 Kms, Arasikere-63 Kms