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6 Best Places To Visit In Shravanabelagola That Are Worth Exploring In Summer 2024!

23 Mar 2023

Shravanabelagola is a city in Karnataka nestled between the famous Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills. The city holds within itself numerous Jain centric temples or as the locals prefer to call it, Basadis. The hills are the starting points, for tourists, to explore countless places to visit in Shravanabelagola. This beautiful city is home to many Basadis, caves, inscriptions, and stories that are mostly based on Jainism. The massive height of the hills provides for a panoramic view of the city from both sides. So, here is a list of the most beautiful places that you must not miss out on in Shravanabelagola.

Top 6 Places To Visit In Shravanabelagola

There is no doubt that the city in Karnataka, Shravanabelagola, has scenic and aesthetic places that deserve your time and visit. However, it makes sense to check out the finest and the first 6 places to visit in Shravanabelagola.

Chandragupta Basadi
Gommateshwara Statue
Chandragiri Hill
Akkana Basadi
Bhadrabahu Cave
Kambadahalli

1. Chandragupta Basadi

Image Source

This 12th-century monument was originally built by King Ashoka in memory of the valiant King, Chandragupta Maurya. This is one of the prime tourist attractions in Shravanabelagola due to its enamouring architecture ideas very similar to the Chola type. However, the ornamental door, decorative screens, and figurines of significant persons from the Jain history give way to its uniqueness as a Jain temple and monument. The Chandragupta Basadi is also rumored to have been built by Chandragupta Maurya himself but the locals are convinced that it was made for the latter, not by the latter. It might be one of the smaller Basadis on the Chandragiri hills, but it emits the aura of a well-revered masterpiece of the golden era.

Must Read: 15 Top Hill Stations In Karnataka To Rejuvenate Yourself

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2. Gommateshwara Statue

After climbing 600 stairs on the Vindhyagiri hill, you will come face-to-face with the tallest monolithic statue of the much revered Bahubali. The 58 feet statue seems to have its eyes opened with no such emotional attachment shown on its face. This is also one of the best places in Shravanabelagola if you happen to catch it during the Mahamastakabhishekam festival which is held once in 12 years. The festival brings together many devotees who pour curd, ghee, sugar, Kesar, and flowers. The festival last happened in 2018, be sure to catch the next eventful festival in 2030.

Suggested Read: Karnataka Cuisine: 22 Popular Karnataka Dishes For A Flavorful Culinary Journey

3. Chandragiri Hill

Chandragiri hills are of immense value in Shravanabelagola. It not only houses numerous Basadis but also provides for a panoramic view of the whole of Kathmandu. It has been named as one of the best places to visit around Shravanabelagola because it connects Hindu, Buddhist and Jain places of worship. It is one of the hills surrounding Shravanabelagola and that has systematic tourist pick up spots. The tour of the hills takes a few hours but the information leaves you wide-eyed and is a must try if you visit the beautiful city in Karnataka.

Suggested Read: This Private Island Homestay In Karnataka Is A Treasure & You Won’t Doubt It!

4. Akkana Basadi

If you are wondering what makes this Basadi different from all the other Jain temples, it is the unique architecture that is inspired by the Chalukyas. The temple is completely made of soapstone and was designed and constructed by Achala Devi. it is mainly dedicated to Parshwanath and has a simple dome-like structure that is named as the main shrine. The temple is a must visit because of its inscriptions and genius architectural design. It is located on the Chandragiri hills and one of the first Basadis that comes into view after a few steps.

Suggested Read: 14 Itineraries Including Best Honeymoon Places In And Around Karnataka

5. Bhadrabahu Cave

Bhadrabahu is one of the most respected saints for the Jains. This was the exact place where he spent the final days of his life and coincidentally the same place where Chandragupta came to meditate after being initiated into the Jain family. This is an ideal place for Jain darshan with its rich history in Basadis and a cool atmosphere. The sacred place has stood the test of time and still has the footsteps of Chandragupta when he was undergoing his stay at this place. It is not architecturally designed however, the rocks at the entrance and the aura of spirituality make up for the raw design and provide for a good place to visit.

Suggested Read: Monsoon In Karnataka: Fabulous Experiences That Will Cast A Spell On You!

6. Kambadahalli

This 10th-century Panchakuta Basadi is called as Kambadahalli because of its famous Bramhadeva pillar which is colloquially called as Kamba in Karnataka. The Basadi is similar to Dravidian style architecture and leaves its visitors awed because of its informational scriptures telling us about the male benevolent spirits and their female counterparts. The inscriptions in this monument have not only given it the status of a ‘National Monument’ but are also labeled as one of the best places to visit in Shravanabelagola. It is one of the medium-sized Basadis but also the oldest Basadi in the systematic cluster of the Jain Basadis.

Further Read: 20 Temples In Karnataka That Are All About Grandeur That You Must Visit

Be it temples or forts or hills, there are numerous places to visit in Shravanabelagola. Karnataka has so many places to visit in and near Shravanabelagola and holds one of the highest tourist visits in India. Shravanabelagola is rich with traditional and historical sights that deserve so many visits. The beautiful city of Karnataka is the ideal spot for your next pilgrimage visit. So, the next time your grandparents or family want to go on a memorable teerth yatra, plan a trip to Karnataka and experience the famous Basadis, forts and scenic hills in Shravanabelagola.

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Exploring Shravanabelagola: The Ultimate Guide

The clock was about to strike 5 PM. Our car ran like the wind, as we stole glances at our watch. As if, that would stop time in its track! Earlier that day, we got so immersed in the riveting beauty of Belur and Halebidu’s temples that we completely lost track of time ourselves. It was around 3-30 in the afternoon when we started from Halebidu and our driver expressed serious doubt about whether we will reach Shravanabelagola within time. The gates get closed at 5-30 sharp, and it takes 2 hours to reach there from Halebidu. And, thus began our ordeal.

After endless fidgety moments (which even included driving in the wrong direction), the road took a decisive turn. And there it was! The Gomateswara statue stands tall at the top of Vindhyagiri hill. We had reached Shravanabelagola.

Table of Contents

About Shravanabelagola:

Shravanabelagola is one of the holiest pilgrimage centers of Jainas in India. The word ‘Shravanabelagola’ signifies the white pond of the Shravana or monk. At the heart of this small town lies a beautiful pond, from which its name has been derived.

On either side of the pond stands two hills, Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri. After renouncing his throne, Chandragupta Maurya spent his last years here at Chandragiri along with his guru, Bhadrabahu. It was here that the founder of the Mauryan dynasty had performed ‘sallekhana’ or Jaina practice of fasting unto death. The Chandragupta basadi was built here by Ashoka in the 3 rd BCE to commemorate Chandragupta Maurya.

Chandragiri houses memorials and basadis of various other Jaina sramanas or monks who meditated and lived here, including the last Rashtrakuta king, Manyakheta.

The Vindhyagiri hill has the epic Gomateswara statue. There are also countless inscriptions on this hill, along with a few basadis such as Odegal basadi.

The Gomateswara Monolith:

The terms Shravanabelagola and Gomateswara have become sort of synonymous with one another. The mere mention of Shravanabelagola evokes the grand image of the Gomateswara statue.

The eponymous statue depicts Bahubali, one of the sons of Rishavanath, the first Jaina Tirthankara. He was also the younger brother of Bharata Chakravartin (after whom ‘Bharata’ or India is named).

Bahubali did meditation for a year motionlessly in a standing posture. It is said that, during this time, plants and climbers grew along his legs. After one year of meditation, he attained Kevala Gyana and thus became a revered figure among the Jainas.

The colossal statue of Bahubali was commissioned in 981 CE by Chamundaraya, a Ganga minister and commander. The statue is carved out of a single piece of granite and stands at 57 feet. It is regarded as one of the largest free-standing statues in the world. In addition, it is also known as one of the wonders of India.

Our experience:

It was almost 5-30 when we reached the foothill of Vindhyagiri. Before us awaited 671 steps to reach the summit. After depositing our shoes and refilling our water bottles, we started our climb. The steps were uneven, supported by rickety iron railings. Apart from us, there was only a group of spirited ‘ajjis’ and a gang of schoolboys climbing the Vindhyagiri.

The climb was quite comfortable (as compared to what we experienced at Anjanadri and Matanga Hills in Hampi). We took two or three breaks on the way up to catch our breath and admired the view down below. The town glistened under the rays of the setting sun. The pond’s water shined a shade of turquoise blue, while Chandragiri looked serene.

It took us around 30 minutes to reach the top. On the way, we saw the Odegal basadi and checked out the innumerable inscriptions scattered all around.

We crossed the main gate and a circumambulation later, we were standing agape in front of the enormous Gomateswara statue.

The grandeur of Gomateswara monolith can hardly be described in words. It has been carved with finesse, depicting the motionless meditation of Bahubali. It symbolizes the Jaina ideals of peace, non-violence, and renunciation of the world. As we laid our eyes on the pleasant face of Bahubali, we felt at ease. Standing at his feet, we sensed serenity seeping into our hearts and thus making us forget about worldly affairs, even if for a fleeting moment. The faint hint of a smile on Bahubali’s calm face reminded us that, what matters most is inner peace. Time seemed to have stopped while we continued admiring the splendid statue.

While climbing down the stairs, Shravanabelagola continued to look magical during the blue hour. The shops and houses had lit up. The melody of ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ from a temple nearby permeated the place. A train whistled its way through the green pastures. And behind us, Bahubali stands and continues his watch, as he has been doing for the last thousand years.

Things to remember:

1. Shravanabelagola is located near Channarayapatna, in the Hassan district of Karnataka .

2. Shravanabelagola is

-144 km from Bengaluru

-83 km from Mysuru

-89 km from Belur

-78 km from Halebidu

3. It can be reached easily by road from Mysuru. Belur – Halebidu -Shravanabelagola is a popular daytrip option from Mysuru.

4. There is no entry fee for Vindhyagiri. However, a nominal fee is required for depositing shoes.

5. The gates at the entrance of the Gomateswara statue open at 6 AM and close at 6 PM.

6. One of the most important events here is Mahamastakabhisheka. This occurs every twelve years when the statue of Bahubali is anointed with water, turmeric, rice flour, sandalwood paste, saffron, sugarcane juice, and gold and silver flowers. This is an amazing spectacle, attracting thousands of tourists and pilgrims to Shravanabelgola. The next Mahamastakabhisheka is scheduled for 2030.

7. The Vindhyagiri is a revered place for Jainas. You can see many people praying and chanting at the feet of Gomateswara. Hence, it is advisable to dress modestly and maintain silence.

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Shravanabelagola

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Shravanbelagola

"home of the highest statue of lord gomateswara", shravanabelagola tourism.

Shravanbelagola is an important Jain pilgrimage centre with a 57 m tall monolithic sculpture of Lord Gomateswara called Bahubali statue as its prime attraction. Located 144 km from Bengaluru in Hassan District of Karnataka, the collection of Jain Temples in Shravanbelagola attracts a number of pilgrims every year.

Wedged between Chandigiri and Vindyagiri hills on the side of the tank of town called 'Belagola'. 'Bela' means white and 'kola' means the pond in Kannada. It takes a full day to visit all the monuments. For those who find it difficult to climb the hill, Dolis or Palanquin are available of INR 800 to and fro. Every 12 years, Mahamasthabhisheka of Lord Bahubali is performed as a part of Jain culture and this is one most auspicious events in Karnataka. The last festival happened in 2018 and it was 88th festival. The first Mahamasthabisheka was in 981 AD. The next festival is to happen in 2030.

Things to do in Shravanabelagola

1. gomateshwara statue.

2. Chandragiri Hill Temple

3. Bhandari Basadi Temple

4. Akkana Basadi Temple

5. Vindhyagiri Temple

6. Jain Math

7. Kalamma Temple

8. Shopping in Shravanabelagola

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Shravanabelagola from Bangalore: Temple and places to visit

Shravanabelagola is located at a distance of around 160 Km from Bangalore in Hassan District and is famous for Gomateshwara statue. It is one of the famous weekend gateways from Bangalore for families. It is also one of the very famous places for Jain Pilgrims. Here are more details about Shravanabelagola from Bangalore:

Page Contents

How to reach Shravanabelagola from Bangalore?

From Bangalore catch a bus to Channarayapattana. Distance is around 150 km.
Time to reach Channarayapattana is around 3.5 hours from Bangalore. Ticket price is around Rs. 150
Buses are available anytime from Majestic bus stand or you can also book your ticket online at Ksrtc site
From Channarayapattana, you can get a car, auto, minibus and local bus to Shravanabelagola. Distance is around 15 km. Autos charge around 250.

Where to stay in Shravanabelagola?

Although there are hotels near the Shravanabelagola bus stand and Channarayapattana town. But if you are going during the peak time of Jain pilgrimage, it’s wiser to book the accommodation in advance. I prefer to stay in the Dharamshala there. Dharamshala is like a house of pilgrims. There are cheaper, clean and run by Jain people. There are two famous Dharamshala in Shravanabelagola:

Sri Jain Math and Digambar Jain Dharmashala , Vidyananda Nilaya, Guest House, Shravanabelagola (Phone No.: 08176 – 657235)
Kshetra committee accommodation office, near bus stand, behind Vidyanada Dharamshala

Dharamshala in Shravanabelagola

It is worth noting that the availability of dharamshalas in Shravanabelagola may vary depending on the time of year, as the town sees a high influx of visitors during certain periods. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons, to ensure that you have a place to stay during your visit. buy amoxicillin generic buy amoxicillin no prescription over the counter You can also check with local travel agents or tour operators for more information on the availability of dharamshalas in the area. Here are some of Dharamshalas

Bahuballi Mutt Dharamshala

many rooms available
low cost; clean; free food (around 350 per room)
close to bus stop
spacious room

Jain Dharamshala

More details coming….

Shravanabelagola temple timings:

The temple timings are from morning 6-30 am to 11-30 am and 3-30 pm to 6-30 pm in the afternoon.

Shravanabelagola Tourist reception and information office facilities:

You can get the full information about the upcoming events
For elderly people, you can book Doli to the temple. For the people who cannot walk up to the hill
You can hire a guide for much interesting information for 200

What to see in Shravanabelagola?

Statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali
Various types of inscriptions
Sunset from the Chandragiri hills

ShravanaBelaGola traveling experience:

It was one of those sunny saturdays in the torrid month of April when me and three of my friends planned out for a one day trip to Shravanabelagola, halebidu and belur , all three places on the same day. We hired a Figo from Zoomcars and started off at 9 am after having breakfast at home.

The NH48 highway is very broad and well maintained. As our car hit the highway it naturally took the fifth gear speed smoothly and we drove a past number of granite hillocks along with a green stretch of fields on both the sides of the road. The sky was bright blue and the dark pitch road was shimmering in the direct sun rays.

We could anticipate that the temperature outside must be above 30 degree Celsius but we were enjoying the AC inside the car. During such trips, google map navigation app comes as a handy since none of us knows the route.

White pond and chandagiri hills, shravanabelagola

After almost 3 hrs at 12 noon we reached the Shravanabelagola. Shravanabelagola is a city located about 158kms from Bangalore. The name “Shravanabelagola” means “white pond of shravana” the photo of which is depicted below.

The statue of the Jain saint Gommateshvara Bahubali in the city is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Jains. 58 feet tall, the world’s largest monolithic stone statue of Gommateshvara is placed on the top of the Vindhyagiri hills. It was created around 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King, Rachamalla.

We got down the car and could feel the strong heat of the sun. The weather was extremely hot and as we started walking down the street we could feel little perspirations running down our body. I gazed at the hill which we were about to ascend. It was difficult to look up owing to the blazing sun. The hill seemed steep and high with big boulders and huge stones jutting out of it.

I could make out a long winding stone staircase that carved its way up the hill and vanished somewhere in the top. We read before coming that we had to climb 650 stone-carved stairs to reach the top of the hill that too on barefoot. There was absolutely no trees, no shades above the stairs. The entire hill looked so barren and naked. I quickly took out my shades and wore a brown hat so as to safeguard from the scorching rays. Three of my friends bought hats from nearby shops.

We had to submit our shoes and cameras in the reception before we started our barefoot climb. I was thinking whether it would be possible for me to bear the hot-coal like stone beneath my feet during the long climb so, I did not pull out my socks and so did my friends.

The stairs were little high and steep and we started climbing. Sometimes we would stop of course to catch our breath and sometimes to take photos and as we looked back we were amazed at the slowly changing scenario around us surrounding the hill -the white pond, behind it the Chandragiri hill, small houses, distant greeneries, small and big stony hills situated near and far – the beautiful panoramic view of the entire city captured our heart.

As we climbed higher we drew closer to the temple and we could see its entrance. In terms of physics, we did enough work in climbing 650 stairs under the harsh merciless sun and we were completely drained out. On reaching the summit we sat somewhere and drank lots of water to satiate our parched throat.

We entered the temple. Near the entrance, we could see huge glass slabs made by the government lying on the floor which protected and covered some ancient scriptures carved out of the rocks on the floor. These inscriptions include texts in the Kannada, Sanskrit, Marathi, Konkani, Tamil, Marwari and Mahajani languages.

All around the temple, there were several statues, carvings on the stone and big pillars. The huge Gommateshvara Bahubali figure made out of single granite stone stands majestically in the center. The colossal figure is naked and the beautifully sculpted feature of the statue epitomizes the divinity and magnificence hidden in the flawless ancient art which was around 1800 years old. buy amitriptyline generic buy amitriptyline no prescription over the counter

glass slabs covering inscriptions at the shravanabelagola

Lord Gommateshvara was a Jain prince named Bahubali, the son of Rishabha (first Tirthankara and founder of Jainism). Bahubali is a much respected figure among Jains. After winning the battle against his elder brother, Bharata, he developed a desire for renunciation. He gave his kingdom to Bharata and left to lead a life of penance and meditation becoming a jain monk and practicing nirvana.

It is known that a spectacular event known as Mahamastakabhisheka is held once in 12 years where thousands of devotees congregate and the statue is anointed with milk, curds, saffron, Ghee, coconut water, turmeric paste and gold and precious jewels.

There is a spacious chamber in Bhandari Basti about 200 meters to the left of Gommateshvara Statue containing the 24 figures of Tirthankaras. If you are interested in religious and historical sites traveling in Karnataka, some of the other destinations that you might want to explore are Hampi , Pattadakkal , Badami caves , Yana etc.

Did you like it? Please Rate it below:

4 replies to “shravanabelagola from bangalore: temple and places to visit”.

Hi, I will go there 20march, How can i book the room in dharmshala

Good information

Well the entire description about the spectacular and historic monument of Lord Bahubali was very apt and truly interesing specially you made the narration live and worth reading. Kudos and three cheers

Thanks Suparas 🙂

Shravanabelagola

1 Understand
3.1 By plane
3.2 By train
4 Get around
5.1 Vindhyagiri
5.2.1 The legend
5.3 Mahamasthakabhisheka
5.4 Chandragiri
9.1 Alcohol

Shravanabelagola is a village famous for its impressive Jain temple. It is located in Hassan District of Karnataka .

Understand [ edit ]

Shravanabelagola is a Jain pilgrim destination located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, Southern India, at an altitude of about 800 m (2,600 ft) above sea level. The town is wedged between two rocky hills- Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri . It is at a distance of It is 11 km from Channarayapatna , 52 km from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 157 km from Bangalore . There are good roads from Bangalore and Mysore to Shravanabelgola. The town's municipality has existed for the past 70 years.

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.

This town has got some historical references, which add to the importance of this place. According to the tradition of the Jain Bhadrabahu, one of the Sritakavalli as the successor of Vardhamana (Mahaveera) passed away here in a cave on Chandrabetta or Chandragiri hill, while leading a migration to the South from Ujjain due to a 12-year famine, which he had predicted.

There are ancient monuments in and around Shravanabelagola. There are monuments of rare excellence and skill got executed by the illustrious Gangas and Hoysalas who had profound sense of duty and ardent devotion to religion. The finest monuments are found in two sacred hills, Vindhyagiri and the Chandragiri.

Talk [ edit ]

A number of languages are spoken around here that reflects the cultural diversity of Karnataka. Kannada is the official state language but Hindi and English are also widely understood, so communication shouldn't be much of a problem.

Get in [ edit ]

Shravanabelagola is 146 km from Bangalore and 11 km from Channarayapatna. Hassan 57 km, Mysore 83 km, Arasikere 63 km.

By plane [ edit ]

The nearest airport is at Bangalore ( BLR IATA ) (157 km), regular flights of Indian and Jet Air connect Bangalore to the main areas of the country.

By train [ edit ]

Shravanabelagola has regular trains from Bangalore and takes approximately 2 hr 30 min. Nearest major station is Hassan (57 km). Taxi, buses or cars are the best options from Hassan.

By bus [ edit ]

Buses are available from Channarayapatna every half an hour starting from 5:30AM.

Shravanabelagola is well connected by road from all important towns in Karnataka. You can get here from Mysore, Bangalore or Hassan. There are frequent buses, but you will have to change over at Channarayapatna. There are no direct buses to Shravanabelagola. Local transport from Channarayapatna includes auto rickshaws, private cars and buses. From Bangalore you can hire a taxi or bus to reach the main town, the route is simple. After taking NH-4 from Bangalore, once you cross Nelamangala, take a deviation towards Mangalore on Mangalore-Bangalore highway (NH48). Just follow this road until Hirisave from where you will see router marking which leads to Shravanabelagola. Hirisave is 18 km from Sharavanabelagola, if you are using Google maps for navigation, then it will ask you to go further from Hirisave and then take a left: This route is not good. It is recommended to take deviation from Hirisave to reach Shravanabelagola.

Private vehicles are also available to go to Shravanabelagola from Channarayapatna. It is advisable to visit Shravanabelagola through Channarayapatna only, because of the lack of direct buses to Shravanabelagola from Hassan city.

There are KRSTC buses from

Hassan to Channarayapattana
Channarayapattana to Shravana Belagola

Get around [ edit ]

Autorickshaws are a good way to travel from one place to another.

“Dolis” built of a comfortable cane chair carried by four men for a tour over the hills. The timings are from morning 6:30AM to 11:30AM and afternoon 3:30PM to 6:30PM. If you are traveling with old persons who need these "dolis", it is advisable to reach early as the number of "dolis" are limited and the "doli" bearers are employees of the trust there. The booking for the "doli" has to be done in the Tourist Reception & Information office and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The staff is very courteous. The rate for one round trip is ₹400 (July 2012). Each "doli" trip is for 1½ hours and they charge ₹50 extra for every additional 30 minutes. The maximum time for a trip can only be 2½ hours even with extra time.

See [ edit ]

The town is small and you can easily walk between the major attractions. The biggest question is how much time you have, and how interested you are in history, the Jain religion, wandering or relaxing in nature. Many people seem to visit and only see Vindhyagiri, however Chandragiri is just as if not more interesting save the lack of a statue. It may be worth counting on one day for Vindhyagiri, one day for Chandragiri, and one day for the other temples and departure.

The temples in the town are inferior by comparison to those on the mountains, but probably worth seeing regardless. They are found on a north–south road one block east of the pond that dominates the town. If you are unclear how to get there, just turn left at the bottom of the main steps to Vindhyagiri or ask a local for 'Jain Math' which will take you to one end.

Vindhyagiri [ edit ]

The hill is about 150 m (490 ft) above the ground and is one solid rock. It must be climbed barefoot. Most tourists use the 'main steps' from the town consisting of a dual flights of about 660 steps to the top, cutout in the rock. People of all ages climb these steps, however they are steep and it can be a hard climb. In summer the rock can get hot, so you may wish to wear two pairs of socks to protect against the heat. There are two sets of steps at this main stairway: one set to go up, and one set to come down. Palanquin bearers carry you up on a chair for ₹150 (one way). It will take about 2 hours to finish darshan and come back downhill.

The second, equally good but much less used (and therefore more peaceful) set of stairs are on the western side of the hill. If yoh want to circumambulate the hill prior to climbing, the suggested direction is clockwise. It is easy to find the road and impossible to get lost.

The 17 m (58 ft) high monolithic stone statue of the Lord Gommateshwara , also referred to as Bahubali is located above this hill which is called Vindhyagiri or Doddabetta or Indragiri hill. It is estimated to weigh approximately 80 tons. The stone statue was installed and consecrated by Chavundaraya, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief who served under the successive rulers - King Marasimha II, Rachamalla IV and Rachamalla V of the Talakad Ganga Kingdom in 981 AD. The base of the statue has inscriptions in Kannada and Tamil, and the oldest evidence of written Marathi, dating back to 981 AD. The inscription praises the Ganga king who funded the effort, and his general Chavundaraya, who erected the statue for his mother.

This statue is considered to be the world's largest monolithic stone statue . It is carved beautifully from a single block of rock with accurate sense proportion and expression. Gommata has curly hair in ringlets on the head and long, large ears. His eyes are open as if viewing the world with detachment. His facial features are perfectly chiseled with a faint touch of a smile at the corner of his lips and embody calm vitality. His shoulders are broad, his arms stretch straight down and the figure has no support from the thigh upwards.

There is an anthill in the background which signifies his incessant penance. From this anthill emerge a snake and creepers which twine around both his legs and his arms culminating as a cluster of flowers and berries at the upper portion of the arms. The creepers encircling the arms and legs are artistic and beautiful.

The nude, north-facing, upright stone sculpture of Bahubali (Lord Gommateshwara) in the posture of meditation known as Kayotsarga , symbolizes renunciation, self-control and subjugation of ego as the first steps towards salvation. The digambara (nude) form of Bahubali represents the complete victory over earthly desires and needs that hamper spiritual ascent towards divinity. The entire figure stands on an open lotus signifying the totality attained in installing this unique statue. The statue is simple, stylish and splendid.

On either side of Gommata stand two tall and majestic chauri bearers in the service of the Lord. One of them is a yaksha and the other one is a yakshi.

These richly ornamented and beautifully carved figures complement the main figure. Carved on the rear side of the anthill is also a trough for collecting water and other ritual ingredients used for the sacred bath of the image. Around the statue is an enclosure of a pillared hall where one can find 43 images of Thirthankaras in different cloisters. There is also a figure of a woman called Gullakayajji sculpted with a good built and wearing exquisite ornamentation, typical of the sculptures of the Ganga period.

There is also the Brahmadevaru temple atop the hill. Besides these there are the Odegal Basadi , Chowwisa Thirthankara Basadi, Chennana Basadi, Tyagada Brahmadevaru Kambha, Akhanda Bagilu and Gullakayajji.

Odegal Basti (Trikuta Basti) [ edit ]

The Odegal Basti is so called because of the odegal or stone props used for strengthening against its basement walls. In the literary works the temple is known as the “Trikuta Basti”. It's the only Trikutachala (triple shrine) at Shravanabelagola. This Basti or temple is also known as Trikuta Basti because it has three cells facing different directions. It has a fine granite structure of the Hoysala period with a plain exterior. It consists of three cells and three open sukhanasi with a common navaranga and a mukha mantapa.

The navaranga pillars are cylindrical in shape and the central ceiling has a lotus pendant. The main cell contains a fine figure of Adinatha with a well carved prabhavali, flanked by male Chamara bearers; the left cell has a figure of Neminatha and the right a figure of Shantinatha. Adinatha or Vrishabhanatha was the first among the twenty four Jinas. He is also known as Purudeva. He was the father of Gommata. In the three sanctums are beautiful images of Thirthankaras carved in schist. The Temple is datable to the 14th century.

The legend [ edit ]

According to Jain legend, Bahubali was the second of hundred sons of Rishabha, the first Tirthankara and king of Podanpur. When Bahubali's older brother Bharatha challenged Bahubali for his lands and wealth, the two ended up in a personal duel to settle the matter. Being much stronger, Bahubali could easily defeat or even kill his brother, but at the last moment he realized the futility of their fight and the unrighteousness of him fighting his brother for such material matters. Following the transformation of his mind, he renounced his kingdom and all other worldly pleasure, and took to a life of meditation. At first held back by his own ego and anger towards his brother, finally he gained "Keval Jnana", of Absolute Knowledge, the highest form of knowledge that a soul can attain. Bahubali thus became an example of the ideal man, who has overcome selfishness, pride, jealousy, and anger. A chastened Chavundaraya then made it mandatory that Mahamastaka Abhisheka be performed every 12 years for Lord Bahubali.

It is conjectured by most people that Gommata was the other name of Chavundaraya, his deity or master (Eswara) was Bahubali. Therefore, Gommateshwara means Gommata's master (Gommata's Eswara).

Mahamasthakabhisheka [ edit ]

Mahamasthakabhisheka, or the head anointing ceremony of the Lord Gommateshwara Bhagawan Bahubali, is performed once every 12 years in Jain dharmic cycle as part of ancient and Indian tradition. Today the ritual Mahamasthakabhisheka of Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola is in memory of the first consecratory bath prathista abhisheka performed to the statue by the Ganga Prime Minister Chavundaraya and his guru Achaiya Sri Nemichandra Siddhantha Chakravarthi, under the inspiration of Chavundaraya's mother Kalala Devi. The last Mahamasthakabhisheka was held in 2018.

On the eve of the event, scaffolding is constructed to help the priests and devotees to go to offer worship. Worship is done in accordance to Jain Agama. Hundreds of people and tourists participate in the rituals held over a period of twelve days. The statue of Lord Gommateshwara gets poured by 1008 kalashas (painted earthen pots- coloured in ceremonious style) of water, milk, butter, ghee, curd, sugar, almonds, tender coconut, sugarcane juice, rice flour, turmeric paste, jaggery, banana paste, kashaya (herbal concoction), shrigandha (sandal paste), chandana (coloured sandal paste), ashtagandha (8 varieties of sandal paste), saffron, marigold flowers, and precious stones, culminating in a spectacular shower of flowers from a helicopter. The wealthy devotees offer bids for the kalashas, to obtain them and perform Abhisheka.

It has become customary to offer the first opportunity of worship to the ruler of Mysore who is held in great reverence. This ritual is rare and it is done for the peace and prosperity of mankind.

Chandragiri [ edit ]

Shravanabelagola occupies a significant place in the Jain legacy of Karnataka, for being the place where Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, became a Jain ascetic after relinquishing his throne. The place where Chandragupta breathed his last is named Chandragiri (Chikkabetta). It is a small hill is located opposite to the Vindhyagiri hill. It has memorials to numerous monks and shravakas who have meditated there. Chandragiri also has the tomb of Chandragupta Maurya. Steps have been cut out in this hill and the ascent is not different from Vindhyagiri. It is steep and hard to climb.

There are several monuments of interest. They are;

The Cave of Bhadrabahu: the sacred feet of Sritakavalli are being worshipped even now. It is said that Chandragupta Maurya worshipped those sacred feet till his last days.
Kuge Brahmadevara Kambha: at the top of the pillar is seated the image of Brahma over it.
Shantinatha Basadi:
Bharateshwara:

To the north of Shantinatha Basadi:

Mahanavami Mantapa:
Parshwanatha Basadi:
Manasthambha Basadi: A beautiful pillar with image of Jain seated in a small mantap with Gopuram. It is believed that this pillar was constructed in the 17th century by a Jain merchant by name Puttaiah.
Kattlae Basadi: to the left of Parshwanatha Basadi and in fact this is the biggest of all the Basadis on this hill. Here one finds the image of Adinatha Thirthankara and also of Pampavathi in the Kaisale.
Chandragupta Basadi: it is north of Kattalae Basadi. This is perhaps the smallest of all the Basadis. The beautiful workmanship of architecture found in this monument relates to the 12th century.
Shasana Basadi: because of the inscription in front of it, it is called like that. It has got a Garbhagruha, Sukhanasi and Navaranga. All are dedicated to the worship of Adinatha and Gomukha and Chakreshwari, the Yaksha and Yakshi.
Majjigana Basadi: dedicated to worship of Ananthanatha, the 14th Thirthankara.
Chandraprabha Basadi: to the west of Shasana Basadi, it is dedicated to the worship of the Eighth Thirthankara, Chandraprabha. The images of Shyama and Jwalamalini, Yaksha and Yakshi are to be found.
Suparshwanatha Basadi: seven-headed serpent is carved over the head of the image.
Chavundaraya Basadi: this Basadi is said to have been got constructed in 982 AD by Chavundaraya as per inscription. It is dedicated to the worship of Neminatha Swamy, the 22nd Thirthankara. The monument reveals workmanship of the Ganga and the Hoysala periods.
Yeradukatte Basadi: it is opposite the Chavundaraya Basadi. The image of Adinatha is found inside with Yaksha and Yakshi.
Savathigandharvana Basadi: it is dedicated to the worship of Shanthinatha, the 16th Thirthankara. The inscription on the pedestal of the image states that this Basadi was constructed by Shanthaladevi, the queen of Vishnuvardhana, in 1123 AD.
Tyerina Basadi: Resembling a Ratha.
Shanteshwara Basadi:
Iruve Brahmadevara Temple: the image of Brahma is carved out of a solid rock on a miniature scale.
Kanchina Pond and Lakki Pond: These are ponds.

Some other important temples are;

The Bhandara Basadi: dedicated to the worship of 24 Thirthankaras. It is named after Treasure of Hoysala king Narasimha. It has garbhagruha, Sukanasi and navaranga. The image in Indian dancing pose is beautifully carved.
Akkana Basadi: dedicated to the worship of Parshwanatha, it is constructed in Hoysala style. There is beautiful architecture inside the temple.
Sidhantha Basadi: in this Basadi located to the west of the enclosure to Akkana Basadi were secured books relating to the Jain Sidhantha, in a dark room.

Around Shravanabelagola there are beautiful monuments of Hoysala style particularly in Jinanathapura and Kambadahalli. The monuments of Shravanabelagola are a display of artistic excellence, architectural genius and intense devotion to religion.

Do [ edit ]

Main thing to see are the temples. No other major activity to do here though. The temple it self takes up most of your time.

Make sure you take a camera along, these historic monuments and sculptures make interesting visual delights and are worth capturing. The guides that you get at Belur and Halibidu are ok. Some part of what they tell you is made up but the other part is actual history.

Tuesday Market . The village market becomes very active by evening every tuesday. There are many opportunities for taking photographs of village goods on display. Ask for Shanthe Road, half a kilometre from the bus station. There is a cute little temple on this route. ( updated Jul 2017 )

Buy [ edit ]

The local market at Shravanabelagola is quite colourful with its collection of restaurants, bakeries, ATM centres, fruit and vegetable vendors, stationary shops, curio shops, medical store, etc. All in all, the market is well established and provides everything that is essential.

Eat [ edit ]

The delectable southern Karnataka cuisine is an inseparable part of the state. The southern Karnataka plateau covers the districts of Bangalore, Rural Bangalore, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore and Tumkur. Here, the range of cuisine is quite varied. The ingredients, flavors and the tastes of its cuisines are distinctive and versatile.

Some typical dishes include Bisi bele bath , piping hot rava idlis, dosas, sheera, Jolada rotti, Chapati, Ragi rotti, Akki rotti, Saaru, Huli, Vangi Bath, Khara Bath, Kesari Bath, Davanagere Benne Dosa, Ragi mudde, and Uppittu.

A typical Kannadiga Oota (Kannadiga meal) includes the following dishes in the order specified and is served on a banana leaf: Uppu (salt), Kosambari, Pickle, Palya, Gojju, Raita, Dessert (Yes, it is a tradition to start your meal with a dessert - Paaysa), Thovve, Chitranna, Rice and Ghee.

Mess — The Jain Mutt, which is a short walk from the main entrance, serves free meals of pure Jain food. It may not be a great spread but the food is delicious and served in clean "thalis" — hot rotis, two vegetable curries, sambar and rice. For those who want a better spread, extremely delicious home-made Marwari /Jain food is available 20-25 steps away from the main gate entrance. The arrangement is in the rented house of a Rajasthani family settled in Sharavanbelgola for over two decades. Address is: Suranga Jain, Jain Matt Road, tel: +9902440395.
Small stores and street food — Along the road that connects the bus station with town on the northern end of the pond are a number of small sit-down restaurants with limited fare. Opposite these are street food.
Raghu Restaurant — Hotel Raghu on the main street has a clean and efficient restaurant on the ground floor with flawlessly attentive service. They serve most South Indian dishes including poori, idli, vada and masala dosa for breakfast (daily availability varies) and Kanadiga Oota (i.e., 'meal' or thali ) during lunch times and dinner. ₹60.
Annapoorneshwari Restaurant , Kikkeri Road ( 0.5 km ). Small restaurant with 20 seats gives good idlis and vadas at reasonable rates. Chapathi and Rice for lunch at ₹50. ( updated Jul 2017 )

Drink [ edit ]

Make sure to carry a bottle of water while you do the climb. There are no shops up the hill.

Freshly harvested tender coconut is sold in stalls at the foot of the hill. Drink refreshing “Tender Coconut Water” after the decent to rejuvenate. Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts (fruits of the coconut palm). A very young coconut has very little meat, and the meat is very tender, almost a gel. Coconut water has long been a popular drink in south India.

Alcohol [ edit ]

Shrvanabelagola is a sacred town to Jains so drinking is strongly discouraged so as not to offend local sensibilities. The locals, however, have a couple of watering holes in the newer (don't get your hopes up!) part of town, which is east of the middle of town. Just keep walking until you see a big fork in the road with a huge tree, there are two little Indian dive-cum-liquor stores there.

Sleep [ edit ]

Hotel Raghu , Main street ( Near the main steps and large pond. ), ☏ +91 8176257238 . Good, safe, relatively clean and spacious hotel. Exceptionally well located. Many rooms have balconies with views of the mountains or pond. (Plus, there's an excellent restaurant downstairs!) From ₹500 .
Temple Cottages , ☏ +91 8176 257258 , +91 8176 257293 . Inside a beautiful garden. Rooms: 75, Dormitory: 10. Contact accommodation office opposite Police station. ₹575 for double room .
VIP Guest House , ☏ +91 8176 257277 .

Good hotels are also available at Channarayapatna (13 km away) and at Hassan (52 km away). At Hassan you can stay at:

Hotel Amblee Palika , Hassan , ☏ +91 8176 66307 .
Hotel Hassan Ashok , B.M.Road, Hassan , ☏ +91 8176 68731 .
Kotari Hotels , Station Road, Hassan .
Hotel Suvarna Arcade , ☏ +91 67422-67433 . B.M.Road, Hassan.
Hoysala Village Resort , Handinkere, Belur Road, Hassan , ☏ +91 8172 256764 , fax : +91 8172-256 065 , [email protected] .
Biju Lodge , Near the Rock , ☏ +91 8176257238 . ₹600 . ( updated May 2017 )

Go next [ edit ]

Krishnarajanagara Paddy field paradise
Dharmastala - Belur - Halibeedu - Shravanabelagola would complete a brief Heritage tour of southern Karnataka. They call Belur , Halebidu and Shravanabelagola as the triangle eloquence in stone and are nominated to be UNESCO World Heritage centers.
Dharmastala is a renowned pilgrimage destination where Manjunatha Swamy temple is situated.
Belur (Kannada: ಬೇಲೂರು) is a historic town in Hassan district of Karnataka state
Halebidu is a town in Hassan district of Karnataka. It is famous for its Hoysaleswara temple which is listed as one of the world heritage centers.
Bangalore — Karnataka capital. Bangalore, officially known as Bengaluru, is one of the most hip and happening cities in India and also a major center of the I.T. industry
Mysore - Second largest city in Karnataka, known for its peaceful vibe.
Karkala - To see statue of Gomateshwara. Also Venur where another statue of Gomateshwara is nearby to Karkala.

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Shravanabelagola Tourism | How to Plan a Trip to Shravanabelagola

Average Climate: 15°C - 35°C
Best Time to Visit: October - March
STD Code: 08172

Shravanabelagola Travel Guide

Located in the Hassan district of the Indian state of Karnataka, Shravanabelagola is a significant pilgrimage spot for the Jains. A tour to Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, promises to take you through magnificent temples, shrines, marvelous statues, and monuments. The rich heritage and culture of the city are reflected in its art and architecture, sculptural works, and shrines.

On Tours to Shravanabelagola in India, you must visit the famous Kalyani pond. The two hills of Chandragiri and Indragiri are also worth a visit. Indragiri has the Gommata monolith statue of Bahubali, which is said to be the tallest monolithic structure in the world. Along with the exquisitely engraved Tyagada Brahma Pillar, a Ganga general, and scholar, Chamundaraya installed this statue.

Read the complete Shravanabelagola tourism guide and plan your trip to Shravanabelagola .

Places to visit in Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola is a significant pilgrimage and historical site in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India. It is famous for its massive monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara (Bahubali) and its rich history. Remember that Shravanabelagola is a sacred place for Jains, so visitors must dress modestly and respectfully. Here are some of the must-visit places in Shravanabelagola:

Gomateshwara Statue
Chandragiri Hill
Vindhyagiri Hill
Odegal Basadi
Akkana Basadi
Shravanabelagola Lake
Siddhara Basadi
Indragiri Hill

Things to do in Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola is a tranquil and culturally significant destination, offering visitors a mix of religious experiences and historical exploration. Here are some things to do in Shravanabelagola:

Visit the Gomateshwara Statue
Embark on a trek to the top of Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri hills.
Attend Mahamastakabhisheka Festival
Explore the ancient Jain temples scattered around the area.
Meditate and Reflect.
Take a Walk around Shravanabelagola Lake.
Attend Religious Ceremonies.
Experience local cuisines at Shravanabelagola.

Best time to visit Shravanabelagola

The cooler months, from October to February, are the ideal time to visit Shravanabelagola. The weather is pleasant, making it suitable for exploring the monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara and the surrounding Jain temples on Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri hills. Avoiding the scorching heat of summer ensures a more comfortable and enjoyable visit to this sacred pilgrimage site in Karnataka, India. So, plan your holiday at the best time to enjoy this beauty at its best.

How to reach Shravanabelagola

Fly to Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, Karnataka, to get to Shravanabelagola. Take a taxi or bus to Shravanabelagola, approximately 140 km away. Alternatively, you can reach the nearby town of Hassan by train or bus from major cities in Karnataka. Hire a taxi or take a local bus from Hassan to Shravanabelagola, around 52 km away. The town is well-connected by road, and regular buses are available from major cities in Karnataka.

Accommodations in Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola provides a range of lodging choices to accommodate different needs and preferences. You can find guesthouses, lodges, and budget hotels in the town that provide basic amenities. For a more comfortable stay, some hotels offer modern facilities. Additionally, during the Mahamastakabhisheka festival, temporary accommodation options may be available. It's advisable to book in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons or festival times, to ensure availability and a pleasant stay.

Where to eat in Shravanabelagola

In Shravanabelagola, several eateries offer vegetarian food, as the town follows Jain dietary practices. You can enjoy traditional South Indian dishes, including dosas, idlis, vadas, and thalis, in local restaurants and small eateries. Some hotels and guesthouses may also have in-house restaurants serving Jain cuisine. For a broader range of options, consider visiting nearby towns like Hassan, which offer more diverse dining choices. Always check with locals or your accommodation for recommendations on the best places to eat in Shravanabelagola.

How to get around in Shravanabelagola

Navigating through Shravanabelagola is quite simple. The town is petite, and most tourist spots are just a stroll away. You can quickly discover the notable Bahubali statue and other temples by walking. However, if you need to travel longer distances or prefer a more comfortable ride, you can hire a local auto-rickshaw or taxi to move around the town easily.

Travel tips

Book accommodations well in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure a comfortable stay.
Carry sufficient water and snacks, as facilities around the main temple complex might be limited.
Respect local customs and traditions, such as removing footwear before entering temples and religious sites.
Hire a knowledgeable guide to enhance your experience and gain insights into the history and architecture of the area.
With your camera, capture the mesmerizing sunrise or sunset views from Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills.
Learn a few basic phrases in the local language (Kannada) to communicate with the locals and show your appreciation for their culture.

Things To Do in Karnataka

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Shravanabelagola
Destinations

One of the most-visited Jain pilgrimage spots in South India, Shravanabelagola is a popular weekend getaway from Bengaluru. It is famous for a massive 57-ft high statue of Bahubali, which is the world's tallest monolithic stone statue carved out of a single granite block. This is housed in the Gomateshwara Temple, which is perched atop the Vindhyagiri Hill at a height of 3347 ft.

For over 2,300 years, Shravanabelagola has been a major attraction for Jain's and has been drawing them for its culture, art and architecture. A town of temples and ponds, Shravanabelagola boasts one of the largest numbers of rock inscriptions at one place. Another attraction is the 14 historical shrines known as basadis at the Chandragiri Hill. The most important of these include Chavundaraya Basadi, Chandragupta Basadi, Chandraprabha Basadi, Kathale Basadi and Parshwanath Basadi.

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Shravanabelagola – Historic Wonders of South India

Shravanabelagola is a historic destination located in Hassan of Karnataka . It is famous for its collection of Jain temples. The Gommateshvara Bahubali statue of this destination is a significant pilgrimage spot for Jains. Apart from this, the place is filled with monuments of yesteryear. Apart from being a Jain pilgrimage spot, this place is best for sightseeing, photography and exploration.

How to Reach Shravanabelagola

Bengaluru International airport is the closest international airport, which is 4.5 hour drive away from the town. This airport connects the state with many international and local destinations. The nearest railway station is located in Shravanabelagola. It links the town with important destinations of South India like Bangalore, Pune, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Thane, Shimla and others.

If you are choosing road transportation, you can find frequent buses to and from Shravanabelagola. You can find both private and government buses connecting the town with many surrounding major cities. Hiring cab is an easier option during tourism season. The rate of cabs differ between service providers.

Shravanabelagola and Hirisave – 18 km

Shravanabelagola and Hassan – 51 km

Shravanabelagola and Mysore – 89 km

Shravanabelagola and Bangalore – 157 km

Shravanabelagola and Mangalore – 221 km

Shravanabelagola and Belur – 89 km

Suggested Tour Packages

Scaling destinations in Shravanabelagola

Once inside the town, you can find buses and autos to many destinations. You can find dolis to reach elevated places. Dolis is a cane chair that is carried by four people to tour all the hills. This service is available during tourism season. Within the town, it is easier to scale the place on foot. Most of the attractions are present around the town.

Best time to visit Shravanabelagola

The best time to visit Shravanabelagola is from October to March . Summer starts in April and ends in June. This is the hottest season in the state. Tourists avoid summer due to high humidity, temperature and risk of dehydration. Monsoon starts in July and ends in September. Rainfall is average to heavy here and thus, sightseeing will be hurdled during this season.

Winter starts in October and ends in March. Shravanabelagola will have a pleasant climate that aids in sightseeing. Tourist destinations surrounded Shravanabelagola will also be at prime beauty during this season allowing you to explore the state with ease.

Top attractions to enjoy in Shravanabelagola

Gomateshwara temple.

Located just one kilometer away from Shravanabelagola, this is an important pilgrim spot and sightseeing destination . This temple is famous for the world’s tallest monolithic stone statue. The statue represents Bahubali, a Jain preacher. The temple is located on top of Vindhyagiri Hill. Tourists need to climb more than 600 steps to reach the entrance of the temple. The anthill behind the statue is said to be the place where Bahubali sat for penance. There are two statues on either side of Bahubali, representing his assistants. Apart from this, you can find many other statues here. You can enjoy many interesting rituals if you visit during Mahamastakabhishekam, a festival that takes place once in 12 years , which happens in February of 2018 .

Chamundaraya Basadi

Located a little away from Shravanabelagola, Chandragiri Hill is an important destination . The hill holds a temple, Chamundaraya Basadi dedicated to Lord Neminatha of Jainism. Built in 982 AD, this is one of the holy sites of Jainism. This two-tier temple is famous for its architectural features too. Tourists climb up to the top through narrow steps to get a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. You can find cabs and autos from Shravanabelagola to the hill.

Odegal Basadi

Located on the Vindhyagiri Hill, this temple is very close to Shravanabelagola bus stand. This temple is famous for its ancient architecture. You can find sculptures made with black granite. You can find many interesting rituals near the temple pond. It does not take more than 30 minutes to explore this place.

Bhandara Basadi

Located near Shravanabelagola bus stand, this is the largest temple in Karnataka . This temple is located close to Gomateshwara temple. Built in 12 th century , this temple is famous for Hoysala styled architecture, ornate halls, sculptures and wooden carvings. There are many shrines inside the complex. If you visit during the full moon day of March-April, you can enjoy the car festival of the temple. The temple is open from 6 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon and, 3:30 in the evening until 6 in the evening .

Aregal Basadi

Located a little away from Shravanabelagola town, this is rock temple famous for its ancient structures. It is famous for marble images, deity sculptures and others.

Parshwanatha Basadi

This temple is located close to Shravanabelagola bus stand. Located on the Chandragiri Hill, this temple is famous for ornate architecture, carved verandhas, images, sculptures and others. The pillars of this temple are the iconic attractions of this temple. The pillars are carved with interesting images.

Kattale Basadi

This temple is the iconic attraction of Chandragiri Hill. This temple is famous for inscriptions, sculptures and images. This is the largest temple in the hill.

Halebelagola

Located 7 km away from Shravanabelagola, this destination is famous for Jinalaya temple of 11 th century. The temple is famous for halls, sculptures of elephants, ornate pillars and others. Many sculptures are at ruins today. You can find cabs or auto from Shravanabelagola to Halebelagola. Buses are also frequently available between the two destinations .

Kambadahalli

Also known as Kambapuri, this is an important pilgrimage destination . Panchakuta is a religious monument of 10 th century, which is famous for shrines, carved pillars, halls and others. You can find many interesting idols here.

Shravanabelagola is famous for iconic hills around it namely Chandragiri, Jinanathapura, Indragiri, Vindhyagiri and others. You can find many monuments and temples perched on the hills.

Cuisine of Shravanabelagola

The cuisine of this land is similar to the cuisine of Bangalore , Hassan, Kolar, Mandya and others. Top dishes to enjoy in Shravanabelagola are

Bisibele bath

You ought to try traditional Kannadiga meal that is served on a fresh banana leaf. You can enjoy fresh tender coconut water at many spots.

Weekend Getaways from Shravanabelagola

Belur – Pilgrimage spot
Hassan – Pilgrimage spot and cultural center
Mysore – Modern city, nightlife and culture
Bangalore – Modern city, nightlife and culture
Dharmastala – Pilgrimage spot

7 Brilliant Places to Visit in Shravanabelagola, Hassan

Best time to visit shravanabelagola, duration to explore shravanabelagola, what does shravanabelagola mean, what is shravanabelagola famous for, best places to visit in shravanabelagola, 1. vindhyagiri hills, 2. the ghati subramanyam temple, 3. sri ramadeva katte waterfalls, 4. chandragiri hills, 5. cauvery fishing camp, 6. bandipur forest reserve, 7. nrityagram, how to reach shravanabelagola from bangalore, interesting facts.

This small town vibrates with a spiritual energy that most of the tourists have mentioned. The picturesque hills and gigantic Bahubali statue make this small town a must-visit for every tourist. If you want to experience the epitome of spirituality, then dip your toes in the beautiful history and culture practiced in this town. Some of the astonishing facts and beautiful locations will compel you to plan for a second visit to Shravanabelgola.

See More : Gommateshwara Statue - The Tallest Monolithic Sculpture in the World

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Shravanabelagola & Markonahalli Dam | Your One Day Trip Guide from Bangalore!

Last updated on August 14th, 2023 at 05:54 pm

Shravanabelagola is an iconic destination. This day trip will take you on a tour of Shravanabelagola and Markonahalli dam.

This series of day trips from Bangalore provide you an opportunity to spend a day visiting places near Bangalore. We encourage you to explore the rich landscape, heritage and beautiful spots surrounding Bangalore.

One Day trip from Bangalore 12 is the twelfth in this series to help you visit places around Bangalore/weekend getaways from Bangalore. If you are looking for places to visit from Bangalore within 150 kilometres or if you are looking for a comfortable one day trip from Bangalore, you should look at this post on this blog.

This one day trip provides you an opportunity to explore Shravanabelagola and Markonahalli dam. We have been to Sharavanabelagola many times and we were there a fortnight ago. The hills in Shravanabelagola are a testimony to beautiful temples, Basadis and historical monuments. It also has world’s largest statue of Lord Bahubali at 58 feet. Markonahalli is a lovely dam across Shimsha river.

The Circuit

Route – Bangalore – Shravanabelagola – Markonahalli – Bangalore

Distance – 300 KMs

Road condition – Excellent

Google map of circuit – https://goo.gl/maps/SySjD2LvPV22wNRo7

The Itinerary

6.30 AM – Leave home and hit NICE road if you stay near it. Exit at Tumkur road exit. Follow the road for ten kilometres and then take diversion onto Mangalore highway.

8 AM – Breakfast time at Shark Food Court after Solur which has soft and tasty Thatte Idlis (flat idlis) – the best in the game – and Masala Dosa or drive for another thirty minutes to reach Swati Delicacy which has excellent breakfast menu. Don’t forget to eat their tasty Masala Dosa and the best filter coffee you get anywhere.

8.45 AM – Depart for Shravanabelagola. A nice drive of one and a half hours (45 minutes from Swathi Delicacy) will bring you to the foothills of Vindhyagiri hill.

10.00 AM -Park your car, leave your footwear in the stall meant for it and then start climbing. It is a steep climb of 400 odd steps. The railings installed makes it easier to climb. In summer, the rock gets heated up and it is better to wear socks and climb. Vendors selling socks can be found at the start point.

Shravanabelagola is not only of archeological importance but also one of the important pilgrimage places for Jains. Pay your obeisance to Lord Bahubali who stands all 58 feet. This is the largest monolithic statue in the world. Walk around the temple and notice beautiful sculptures depicting the cross of cultures in medieval India. Enjoy the panoramic view of Shravanabelagola town and the fields surrounding the hill.

The steep climb…….

The panoramic view of Kalyani and Chandragiri……

The serene statue of Lord Bahubali…..

12 PM – Climb down to the foothill, pick up your shoes and proceed to Chadragiri. Chandragiri is another hill adjoining Vindhyagiri. The climb though not steep takes to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the Vindhyagiri where Lord Bahubali is. Chandragiri hill has a group of monuments which include a lovely statue of Bharatha and many Basadis or Jain temples.

The monuments @ Chandragiri….

1.30 PM – Return to foothills and drive back towards Bangalore.

2 PM – Arrive at Hotel Mayura restuarant at Bellur cross. Have lunch.

3 PM – Depart from Hotel Mayura after lunch.

3.30 PM – Arrive at Markonahalli. In the year 1940, the then Maharaja of Mysore had assigned Sri M Vishveshwaraiah to build a dam across Shimsha river which is one of the tributaries of Cauvery. The result is a beautiful dam with miles and miles of clear waters. Park your car and climb few steps to reach the top of the dam. Enjoy the panoramic view of the backwaters. Unfortunately there is no boating facilities in this place. Sunsets are very pretty with myriad colours painting the horizon.

On top of the dam…..

The vast backwaters…..

Glorious sunset….. (Photo Courtesy – Sri Sharat Chandra )

4.15 PM – Depart Markonahalli and reach Swathi Delicacy

4.45 PM – Snacks time. Swathi has excellent evening snacks like Bonda Soup, Mangalore Bajji and of course our favourite – Masala Dosa. Water it down with excellent filter coffee.

5.30 PM Depart from Swathi and drive back home.

8 PM – Back at Home.

Travel Tips

a) The road condition is excellent throughout.

b) Wear a good hat and carry water bottle. The sun gets harsher as the day pass by. The climb is not too tough. It is steep but the railings help. Stop and sip water as you climb. If one is unable to climb, there are porters who will lift them and carry up the hill for a fee.

c) It is good to go Shravanabelagola early in the morning before noon. Exploring the place in detail require one full day. Visit the statue of Lord Bahubali and surroundings and then climb down.

d) Chadragiri climb is easier. There are many monuments in this place. Spend around 30 minutes to see the important ones.

e) Shravanabelagola is photographers delight. Carry a good camera.

f) A good binoculars is handy as you can enjoy the panoramic views atop the hills.

g) There are few restaurants at the foot hill for a cup of coffee and tea.

h) Markonahalli is still an unexplored destination. It is calm and serene. It is sad that there is no boating at this place. Few petty shops sell knick knacks.

i) Markonahalli is also a good place for bird watching.

j) If interested, one can also visit the lovely Panchakuta Basadi at Kambadahalli as well as beautiful Narasimhaswamy temple at Nuggehalli which has lovely Hoysala sculptures.

These links will give you more information on the places

Markonahalli

Kambadahalli

What has been your experience of Shravanabelagola and Markonahalli? We would like to hear from you. Please share it in the comments below.

We encourage you to explore more around Bangalore! Do check these posts below.

10 Wonderful Weeklong Road Trips from Bangalore with Day Wise Itinerary! – http://traveltwosome.com/exciting-road-trips-from-bangalore/

7 Wonderful Weekend Trips from Bangalore (Covers Saturday & Sunday) with Day Wise Itinerary – http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/

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Shravanabelagola Temple, Karnataka: History, Timings, How to Reach & Nearby Attractions

Updated on March 19, 2024

Shravanabelagola Temple, Hassan Karnataka

Shravabelagola Temple also called the Gomatheshwara Temple or The Bahubali Temple is a sacred Jain pilgrimage destination which is situated in Shravabelagola city in Hassan district, Karnataka . It is situated at an altitude of 3350 meters above sea level, between the two rocky hills known as Chandragiri and Vidhyagiri, and is about 158 kilometers away from Bengaluru and 83 kilometers away from Mysore. The name of this place came from the words ‘Shrava’ which is a monk and ‘Belagola’ word comes from the combo of two words in Kannada that are ‘Bel’ which means ‘White’ and ‘Kola’ means ‘Pond’ about the nice pond in the center of the city.

Shravanbelagola is also known for its tranquil and picturesque surroundings and it offers a unique chance to delve into the rich Jain heritage, and architecture marvels, and to explore the spiritual essence of the place.

In This Article:

History and Legend of the Shravanabelagola Temple:

The basis of the Shravanabelagola Temple dates back over two millennium years, drawing its roots to the early Jain era.

According to the legends, Rishanba and Admatha had two sons namely Bharata and Bahubali. While the prior one was the ruler of Paudanapura. Bharata wanted to become the emperor and hence determined to assault Pudanapura. Bahubali refused to surrender and announced war. In this situation, the chief statesmen of both sides decided to avoid violence by arranging a dual battle between the two brothers.

In this battle, Bahubali arose as the winner in all the stages, and this annoyed Bharata. He then decided to attack Bahubali with his chakra but it just orbited him thrice and failed to attack. Bahubali felt shocked and confirmed to leave earthly pleasures and walk on the path of sanctification of his soul. He stood in the Kayotsarga or standing posture for about a year deprived of food and water. Later he was successful in gaining knowledge about the universe or Kevalignan. From then on, he was well known as Bahubali-Kevali or Gomatheshwara.

This temple is well known for the statue of Bahubali. Chamundaraya, who was the minister and the commander of the Ganga dynasty built the 57 feet monolithic statue of Gomatheshwara in 981 AD. It is believed that the temple was built between 982 AD and 983 AD.

People in Karnataka signify this statue as the ‘Statue of Gomatheshwara’ and Jains refer to it as ‘Bahubali’. This incredible statue was selected as India’s seventh wonder in 2007.

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Architecture of Shravanabelagola Temple:

At the high point of Vidhyanagari Hill stands the top jewel of Shravabelagola temple. The monolithic statue of the Gomatheshwara, who is also known as Bahubali, is carved from a single block of granite. This grand statue towers at a height of over 57 feet, making it one of the tallest monolithic statues in the world. The complex craftsmanship and pure magnitude of Bahubali characterize the pinnacle of Jain art and architecture.

The temple includes an abundance of architectural marvels, together with the Chamundaraya Basadi, Odegal Basadi, and Tyagada Kamba. Every structure emits unique architectural styles, ornate pillars, and complex carvings, reflecting the artistic brilliance of the ancient craftsmen. The Chamundaraya Basadi, devoted to the respected Jain monk Chamundaraya, contains beautiful sculptures portraying scenes from Jain mythology, while the Odegal Basadi contains ancient inscriptions and remains of historical importance.

Timings of Shravabelagola Temple:

The doors of Shravanabelagola Temple open from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The morning aarti is conducted at 7:00 AM and the evening aarthi is performed at 5:00 PM.

Festivals of Shravabelagola Temple:

The Mahamasthakabhisheka which is popularly mentioned as the head anointing ritual of the Gomatheshwara is the utmost unique festival which is performed once every 12 years. It is an important event in the Jain religious calendar. Many tourists visit this favourable shrine from different corners of the world. The festival is celebrated for over 12 days in this temple.

Best Time to Visit Shravanabelagola Temple:

The best time to visit Shravabelagola Temple is during the winter season, which goes on from October to February. The weather is so pleasant in these months with slight temperatures and low humidity which is very comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities for the pilgrims.

How to Reach Shravabelagola Temple:

By Air: As Shravanabelagola is a significant destination for the Jains, it is very connected and easily accessible for pilgrims by air as well. For people who are willing to travel by flight, the Bengaluru International Airport is the closest airport which is situated at a distance of 158 kilometres from the temple. From the temple, you can select buses or private cab services to reach the temple.

By Train: Travelling by train is the most preferred transportation for most of the devotees. The closest railway station from the temple is Hassan Railway Station which is located about 57 kilometers away and the next closest railway station is the Mysore Railway Station which is about 85 kilometers away.

By Road: Shravabelagola is well-connected with every part of Southern India . The national highways are also well-linked with this temple. This temple is 51 kilometers from Hassan, 158 kilometers from Bengaluru, and 233 kilometers from Mangalore . However, there are some direct buses from Mysore to Shravabelagola. Channarayapatna is the closest town which has direct buses and private vehicles to the temple.

Places to Visit near Shravanabelagola Temple:

Jain Temples in Halebidu: Halebidu is 55 kilometers far away from Shravanabelagola and is renowned for its ancient Hoysala temples. The Kedareshwara and Hoysaleshwara are the major attractions, portraying complex carvings and architectural brilliance.

Belur: Situated far away 65 kilometres from Shravanabelagola . The Channakesava Temple is a very popular temple here which is filled with Hoysala architecture and decorated with detailed carvings portraying various mythological stories.

Shravanabelagola Jain Math: In this Jain Math you can explore Jain philosophy, rituals, and traditions. This place is an opportunity to gain awareness of Jainism and its practices.

Bisle Ghat: Bisle Ghat is a picturesque hill range which is located around 80 kilometers and is well known for its scenic views and lush greenery.

Mysore: Mysore is situated around 150 kilometers away from the temple and it is the most popular tourist destination known for its palaces, gardens, and cultural heritage. One can visit Mysore Palace , Chamundij Hills, Brindavan Gardens, and the Mysore Zoo.

Conclusion:

Shravabelagola Temple stands as a witness of spiritual devotion, cultural heritage, and architectural brilliance. From its ancient roots to its persisting legacy, the temple represents the culture of Jainism and serves as a sign of insight for pilgrims and visitors alike.

Follow-up Articles:

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Tusk Travel Team

Tusk Travel is dedicated to delivering precise, genuine, and reliable travel guides through a dynamic team of writers, editors, and destination experts. We aim to provide comprehensive information in its simplest form, sharing insights to influence perspectives nationwide.

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Shravanabelagola

Best time to visit.

24, Ashok Vihar Colony, Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow - 226022, Uttar Pradesh, India.

+91-9453500174

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SHRAVANABELAGOLA - MELKOTE (FROM BANGALORE)

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip starts from: bangalore, mode of travel: car (or cab), trip ends at: bangalore, total places visited: 12, trip starting point: bangalore city railway station, total distance (round trip): 410, travel time (round trip): 7 hr, trip duration: 1 day, ideal start time: 7 am, sightseeing time: %%itinerary_sightseeing_time%%.

DAY 1 : SHRAVANABELAGOLA - MELKOTE (FROM BANGALORE)

Travel from bangalore to shravanabelagola, 1 bhandara basadi.

At a distance of 700m from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Bhandara Basadi is the largest temple built in the center of Shravanabelagola town at a distance of about 300m from the entrance of the Vindhyagiri hill which houses the famous Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple. It is one of the popular sacred places to visit in Shravanabelagola. Built in 1159 CE, this temple was erected by Bhandari Hullamayya, a general of Hoysala King Narasimha. The temple is a large structure measuring 155 ft x 232 ft. The temple exhibits great artistic skills of Hoysala rulers. The temple has a large manasthamba and an ornate mandapa in front of the entrance. The tower on entrance of the temple is small but nicely designed. The temple tower is erected on a pillared mandapa that houses few wooden carvings of a Jain Thirthankaras. The main shrine is a rectangular structure with a 12 pillared sanctum, a rangamandapa and another mandapa called Saraswathi .....

2 Odegal Basadi / Trikutachala - Vindhyagiri

At a distance of 1 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Odegal Basadi also known as Vadegal Basti or Trikuta Alaya is a wonderful 14th-century basadi situated on Vindhyagiri hill on the way to Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple. It is one of the prime places to visit in Shravanabelagola . The Odegal Basadi is named so because of the stone proportions placed against its basement. It is the only trikutachala in Shravanabelagola that can be visited as part of Shravanabelagola Tour Packages . The basadi is built on a highly elevated platform supported by huge blocks of stone pillars. It is impressive for the commanding position it occupies. The temple has a small Mukha mandapa followed by a large maha mandapa with circular pillars. The maha mandapa has three sanctums facing different directions with beautiful statues of Tirthankaras housed inside. The .....

3 Akhanda Bagilu - Vindhyagiri

At a distance of 1 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Tyagada Kamba is a 10th century Monilithic Gateway situated on Vindhyagiri hill between Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple and Tyagada Kamba. The doorway has a large stone carving of Gajalakshmi panel above the door. Goddess Lakshmi seated on lotus flanked by two elephants with pots in their trunks. The panel has crocodile and lion images carved on the upper part. This is one of the finest and largest Gajalakshmi reliefs in the country. It is one of the best arts that exhibit the workmapship of Ganga period. There are two cells built on both sides of the gateway which were built in 12th century by Bharatamayya, a general of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. These cells are dedicated to Bahubali and his brother Bharatha. Beside Bharatha's cell, there is a huge rock with several carvings of Jain saints with their followers flanked across the rock in three levels. The .....

4 Gomateshwara Temple / Bahubali Statue

At a distance of 1 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple is a monolithic statue situated in Shravanbelagola, Karnataka. It is the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world with a height of 58 feet, and among the must include places in Shravanabelagola Tour Packages . The temple is built on top of a Vindhyagiri Hill at an altitude of 3347 feet. A flight of 620 steps provides access to this temple from the entrance near the pond. Gomateshwara Temple is among the prime places to visit in Shravanabelagola . This image of Bahubali was created during the period of Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King Rajamalla between 982 and 983 CE. The eyes of the statue are open as if viewing with work without any detachment. The statue has an anthill behind, representing Gomatha's long penance. Creeper emerges .....

5 Siddhara Basadi - Vindhyagiri

At a distance of 1 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Siddhara Basadi is a 14th century basadi situated just outside the main Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple on Vindhyagiri hill. Dedicated to Sidda Bhagavan Thirthankara, the basadi has an attractive carved granite statue of Saint Sidda in sitting posture. The basadi has two wonderful pillars erected in 14th and 15th centuries with valuable inscriptions. These pillars are dedicated to the Jain saints Panditahradhya and Srtamuni. The text on one of the pillars was composed by a famous Kannada poet called Mangaraja. The Wodeyar mandapa on the western side has inscriptions describing the donations made by the Mysore Maharajas to the temple in 17th and 18th centuries. Few meters ahead of Siddara Basadi, Gullekayi Ajji Mandapa situated opposite to the entrance of Gomateswara Temple is a wonderful mandapa with a mansthamba erected in 12th century with inscriptions. The mandapa also has a beautiful carving of an old lady called .....

6 Tyagada Kamba - Vindhyagiri

At a distance of 1 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Tyagada Kamba is a wonderful 10th century monument situated on Vindhyagiri hill on the way to Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple, past Odegal Basadi. Tyagada Kamba is a small, open pavilion with an elaborately carved stone pillar which is an unmatched artistic beauty. Built on an elevated platform, the pillar has elaborate carvings from bottom to top. It is believed that Chavundaraya, minister of Ganga Dynasty distributed gifts to needy people from this pavilion. This pillar brings out the best workmanship of Ganga rulers. It is believed that the original inscription at bottom of the pillar was erased by Heggade Kanna in 1200 AD. He installed an image of Yaksha at the top of the pillar and added inscriptions on the pedestal. The upper mandapa of the pavilion was built using brick and mortar in 15th century.

7 Chennanna Basadi - Vindhyagiri

At a distance of 1 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Tyagada Kamba is a 17th century Jain basadi situated on Vindhyagiri hill near Tyagada Kamba on the right side while going to Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple. The basadi is a small shrine with a small pillared madapa and sanctum with a small tower over the sanctum. Built on an elevated platform, the doorway of the main structure has is accompanied by dwarapalakas. The shrine is built against a large boulder which form southern wall of the basadi. The image of Chandraprabha, 8th Jain Thirthankara is carved on the boulder attached to the temple. There is a large open hall with 24 pillars opposite to the basadi. Also, a large 30 feet manastambha is placed near the open hall. The basadi, hall and manasthambha are built by Chennanna, son of Puttaswamy Setti in 1667 AD. This place offers panoramic view of the other side of Shravanabelagola town.

8 Chamundaraya Basadi - Chandragiri

At a distance of 0.5 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station & 1.5 km from Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple, Chamundaraya Basadi located on Chandragiri Hill is a wonderful structure dedicated to Lord Neminatha built in Jaina architecture of Dravidian style. It was built by Chamundaraya, the minister of Ganga king Marasimha II in 982 AD. The construction of this basadi was completed in 995 AD. It is one of the prime places to visit in Shravanabelagola, the holy site of Jain pilgrimage. Chamundaraya Basadi is the most attractive and largest structure on Chandragiri hill. This structure resembles the Dravidian two-tier temple architecture introduced by Badami Chalukyas. The basadi is a rectangular structure facing east. The complex consists of a garbhagriha, a pradakshina path, open sukanasi, navaranga and a mukhamandapa. The garbhagriha houses the image of Lord Neminatha. There is another small structure on the first level of Chamundaraya Basadi which can be accessed by a set of narrow .....

9 Chandraprabha Basadi - Chandragiri

At a distance of 0.5 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station & 1.5 km from Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple, Chandraprabha Basadi is located on Chandragiri Hill. It consists of an open Garbagriha, a sukhanasi, a navaranga and a porch and enshrines a seated figure of Chandraprabha, the 8th tirthankara. In the sukhanasi are placed the images of Shyama and Jwalamalini, the yaksha and yakshi. The pedestal of Jwalamalini image shows a lion with two riders seated one behind the other. The basadi is a brick structure raised over a stone base. It is said to have been constructed by the Ganga king Sivamara II.

10 Kattale Basadi - Chandragiri

At a distance of 0.5 km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station & 1.5 km from Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple, Kattale Basadi is situated to the left of Parswanatha Basadi on Chandragiri. It is the biggest of all the Basadis on Chandragiri hill. This basadi is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankara. An image of the Goddess Padmavathi is also found in the verandah. It was constructed by Ganga Raja, the general of Vishnuvardhana. This structure was recently renovated by the Government of Karnataka. The basadi has garbhagriha, pradakshinapatha, an open sukanasi, a navaranga of 16 pillars, a large rangpmandapa. The garbhagriha houses the seated image of Lord Adinatha. As per the inscriptions on the pedestal of this image, the temple was funded by Pochavve, the mother of Gangaraja.

11 Parshwanatha Basadi - Chandragiri

At a distance of 0.5 Km from Shravanabelagola Bus Station & 1.5 km from Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple, Parshwanatha Basadi is located on Chandragiri Hill. The basadi contains a garbagriha, a sukhanasi, a navaranga and a porch. This is a beautiful structure with decorated outer walls. The doorways are lofty and the navaranga as well as the porch have verandhas at their sides. The pillars in the navaranga are of round Ganga type with bell, vase and wheel mouldings. The image of Parshwanatha is the tallest on the hill which is 18 feet in height. The manastambha (pillar) in front of the Parshwanatha basadi has a pavilion on the top containing standing Jain figures facing four directions. This pillar is sculptured on all the four sides of the base and contains the figure of Padmavathi on the south, Yaksha on the east, seated Kushmandini on the north and a galloping horseman on the west. It was built by a Jain merchant Puttaiya between 1672 & 1704 AD.

12 Melukote / Melkote

At a distance of 50 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore, Melkote / Melukote is a historical town located in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka. Also known as Thirunarayanapuram, it is one of the popular pilgrimage places in Karnataka and also one of the best places to visit as part of Mysore Tour. Melkote can also be included in your Mysore holiday packages . The town is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Cauvery valley. The town derives its name from two words, Melu means top and Kote means fort. According to the history, the great Vaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya lived here for about 14 years in 12th century AD and thus it became a prominent center of the Srivaishnava sect of Brahmins. There are two popular temples reside in this town, one is Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple and the other one is Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple. These temples existed even before Sri Ramanujacharya .....

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Best places to get a panoramic view of Moscow

Moscow-City towers. Source: Getty Images / Legion Media

1. Moscow-City tower

The Empire and the Federation Towers, which are located in the new business centre in the immediate vicinity of the city centre, are part of the tallest complex of buildings in Russia’s capital. Standing on the high-altitude terraces of Moscow- City you can enjoy truly inspiring views of the Moscow River and the western part of the city.

The Sixty Restaurant - Bar (the name refers to the interior, which has been executed just like in the 1960s) on the 62 floor of the Federation tower, which makes it the highest restaurant in Europe. The average bill is around 4000 roubles /$140.

The Sixty Restaurant. Source: Bar / Press Photo

You can enjoy views of the city from a bird's eye view free of charge too – you will just have to reach (on an express elevator) the new terrace of the Empire Tower (which is on the 58 floor), located at an altitude of 238 metres.

2, Presnenskaya Quay .

2. The Vorobyevy Gory and the main Moscow State University building

One of the most popular postcard views of Moscow is from the observation deck of Vorobyevy Gory (Vorobyevy Gory or University metro station). The landscape is especially beautiful on a clear day and late at night when the city lights are turned on. The capital can be seen as if it were in your hands; this is definitely the best place for gazing at the seven Stalin skyscrapers – the famous “Seven Sisters”. From the upper floors of the Moscow State University main building, you can take in an even more breathtaking panorama.

The main Moscow State University building. Source: Lori Images / Legion Media

You can enter the Moscow State University terrace if you sign up here – 8 (495) 939 2976.

3. Time Out Bar

A bar with rather affordable prices (an average bill of 1000 roubles /$35) and a terrace with simply stunning views of Moscow. Time Out Bar is located on the 12th and 13th floor of Hotel Peking in the heart of the capital (Mayakovskaya, Triumph Square metro stations.) This is one of my favourite places, which can be found in Moscow skyscrapers; here bartenders prefer making signature cocktails.

Time Out Bar. Source: Press Photo

5, Bolshaya Sadovaya Street . Open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 am.

4. City Space – a panoramic bar

City Space is the highest bar with a 360-degree view of the capital. It is located on the 34th floor of the Swiss Hotel Red Hills, and according to the 2008 Bartender's Guide, it was included in the top 10 bars in the world, and the top 50 best bars in the world by Drink International 2011. The price of one cocktail is around 900 roubles/$30, a must drink for the capital guests is the legendary Moscow Spring Punch with ginger, raspberry and honey.

52/6 Kosmodamianskaya embankment , Paveletskaya metro station.

5. Ivan the Great Bell Tower

You can have the possibility of seeing old Moscow from a bird’s eye view if you go up to the 80-metre bell tower of Ivan the Great – “the capital’s first skyscraper” which was built in the 16th century. The belfry is located in the heart of the city – right in the Cathedral Square, (it is adjacent to the Red Square). The exhibition is open to visitors and there is also an observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the Kremlin's Cathedral Square and the old streets of Zamoskvorechye. You can enter with a ticket from the Kremlin Museums.

Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Source: Lori Images / Legion Media

You can enjoy the view from above with a cup of coffee, which you can get close by – on the rooftop of the Ritz Carlton, where there is a cozy 02 Lounge, which offers an unforgettable view of the Kremlin. The average bill is approximately 2500 roubles/$80.

3, Tverskaya Street . Ritz Carlton, 11th floor.

5. The Ostankino Television Tower

The Ostankino Television Tower observation deck has been open to visitors for over 40 years. During this time it has been visited by over 10 million people – from a height of 340 metres you can take a look at northern Moscow and the Moscow region. You can get to the site only as a part of a tour and preferably having booked in advance.

The Ostankino Television Tower. Source: Lori Images / Legion Media

Duration of the tour is 1 hour, the tower is open to the public from 10.00 am to 21.00 pm. Pre-registration can be done by phone 8 (495) 926-61-11, it will cost 980 roubles ($28).

15/2, Akademika Koroleva street , Alekseevskaya metro station.

7. Kalina bar

Located on the 21st floor of the Lotte Plaza on Novy Arbat, Kalina Bar offers visitors a panoramic view of the Moscow City towers, Hotel Ukraine, Old Arbat street, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, and many other monuments in the city centre. Besides this it offers great Western and Asian cuisine with a bill of approximately 2,000 roubles /$70.

8, Novinsky Boulevard . Lotte Plaza, 21 floor.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

Patriarch’s Pond
Old Arbat Street
Maroseyka Street
Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography.

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita.

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

Novoslobodskaya
Mayakovskaya
Elektrozavodskaya
Komsomolskaya
Ploschad Revolyutsii
Dostoyevskaya
Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem.

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions.

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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COMMENTS

6 Places To Visit In Shravanabelagola That Are A Must-See!
There is no doubt that the city in Karnataka, Shravanabelagola, has scenic and aesthetic places that deserve your time and visit. However, it makes sense to check out the finest and the first 6 places to visit in Shravanabelagola. Chandragupta Basadi. Gommateshwara Statue. Chandragiri Hill.
22 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Shravanabelagola
Waterfall. #17 of 22 Places to Visit in Shravanabelagola. At a distance of 10 km from KR Pete, 14 km from Kikkeri, 32 km from Melukote, 63 km from Mysore, and 67 km from Hassan, Hemagiri Waterfalls is a scenic waterfall located at Bandihole village in Karnataka.
Exploring Shravanabelagola: The Ultimate Guide
The statue of Gomateswara is a must-visit in Karnataka. Our experience: It was almost 5-30 when we reached the foothill of Vindhyagiri. Before us awaited 671 steps to reach the summit. ... Things to remember: 1. Shravanabelagola is located near Channarayapatna, in the Hassan district of Karnataka. 2. Shravanabelagola is-144 km from Bengaluru
Shravanabelagola Tourism
Heritage | Pilgrimage. #10 of 22 Places to Visit in Shravanabelagola. At a distance of 7 Kms from Shravanabelagola & 8 km from Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple, Halebelagola is well known for Jinalaya Basadi built in 1094 AD in the Hoysala style of architecture. The Basadi consists of a garbhagriha, an open mandapa, a navaranga and a porch.
Shravanabelagola: A Jain Pilgrimage and Cultural Heritage ...
Shravanabelagola is a Jain pilgrimage and cultural heritage site in Karnataka, India. It is famous for the Bahubali Gomateshwara statue, one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. Learn more about its history, significance, attractions, festivals, and travel guide in this article.
Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
Source The Mahamastakabhisheka refers to the anointment of the Jain statues across the country and is carried out on a large scale in Shravanabelagola. Held once every 12 years, the Mahamastakabhisheka is a huge part of Jain culture and heritage. The event that takes place for weeks witnesses the veneration of the Jain statue, Siddha Bahubali; purified water and sandalwood paste are poured on ...
Shravanabelagola from Bangalore: Temple and places to visit
Time to reach Channarayapattana is around 3.5 hours from Bangalore. Ticket price is around Rs. 150. Buses are available anytime from Majestic bus stand or you can also book your ticket online at Ksrtc site. From Channarayapattana, you can get a car, auto, minibus and local bus to Shravanabelagola. Distance is around 15 km. Autos charge around 250.
Shravanabelagola
Get around [ edit] 12°51′26″N 76°29′16″E. Map of Shravanabelagola. Autorickshaws are a good way to travel from one place to another. "Dolis" built of a comfortable cane chair carried by four men for a tour over the hills. The timings are from morning 6:30AM to 11:30AM and afternoon 3:30PM to 6:30PM.
Shravanabelagola Travel Guide
Places to visit in Shravanabelagola. Shravanabelagola is a significant pilgrimage and historical site in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India. It is famous for its massive monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara (Bahubali) and its rich history. Remember that Shravanabelagola is a sacred place for Jains, so visitors must dress modestly and ...
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola. One of the most-visited Jain pilgrimage spots in South India, Shravanabelagola is a popular weekend getaway from Bengaluru. It is famous for a massive 57-ft high statue of Bahubali, which is the world's tallest monolithic stone statue carved out of a single granite block. This is housed in the Gomateshwara Temple, which is ...
Shravanabelagola Travel Guide
The best time to visit Shravanabelagola is from October to March. Summer starts in April and ends in June. This is the hottest season in the state. Tourists avoid summer due to high humidity, temperature and risk of dehydration. Monsoon starts in July and ends in September.
7 Brilliant Places to Visit in Shravanabelagola, Hassan
Best places to visit in Shravanabelagola. 1. Vindhyagiri hills. Don't miss out on exploring the famous tourist spot of Shravanabelagola. The hilltop temple is a brilliant rock-cut architecture and has over 100 steps before you can finally reach the Vindhyagiri temple. Tourists from around the world visit this temple throughout the year; the ...
Shravanabelagola Karnataka, Comprehensive Guide to Visit ...
Shravanabelagola Karnataka - Planning to visit Shravanabelagola, one of the famous tourist attractions in Karnataka? Find Shravanabelagola location, how to reach, things to do, attractions and other important facts shared by real traveller. ... Shravanabelagola is a place as intriguing as its name. The place takes its name from a pond that lies ...
Shravanabelagola & Markonahalli Dam
Exploring the place in detail require one full day. Visit the statue of Lord Bahubali and surroundings and then climb down. d) Chadragiri climb is easier. There are many monuments in this place. Spend around 30 minutes to see the important ones. e) Shravanabelagola is photographers delight. Carry a good camera.
Things to Do in Shravanabelagola
Historical Tours. from. $300. per adult (price varies by group size) Things to Do in Shravanabelagola, India: See Tripadvisor's 20 traveler reviews and photos of Shravanabelagola tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. We have reviews of the best places to see in Shravanabelagola.
Shravanabelagola Tourism and Travel Guide
Shravanabelagola is a historical town located in the Hassan district of Karnataka, wedged between the two rocky hills, Vindyagiri and Chandragiri. The town is most famous for the statue of 'Gommateshvara Bahubali', an important 'tirtha', a place of pilgrimage, for the Jains. This 57 feet tall monolithic stone statue is considered to be ...
Shravanabelagola Temple Karnataka: A Jain Pilgrimage Destination
Places to Visit near Shravanabelagola Temple: Jain Temples in Halebidu: Halebidu is 55 kilometers far away from Shravanabelagola and is renowned for its ancient Hoysala temples. The Kedareshwara and Hoysaleshwara are the major attractions, portraying complex carvings and architectural brilliance.
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola's top sights and best time to visit, from B2B travel experts you can trust. Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas in Jainism.
Shravanabelagola
At a distance of 700m from Shravanabelagola Bus Station, Bhandara Basadi is the largest temple built in the center of Shravanabelagola town at a distance of about 300m from the entrance of the Vindhyagiri hill which houses the famous Bahubali Gomateshwara Temple. It is one of the popular sacred places to visit in Shravanabelagola.
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Top 6 Places To Visit In Shravanabelagola

1. Chandragupta Basadi

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2. Gommateshwara Statue

3. Chandragiri Hill

4. Akkana Basadi

5. Bhadrabahu Cave

6. Kambadahalli

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Exploring Shravanabelagola: The Ultimate Guide

About Shravanabelagola:

The Gomateswara Monolith:

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The Floating Pebbles

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Shravanabelagola

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Things to do in Shravanabelagola

2. Chandragiri Hill Temple

3. Bhandari Basadi Temple

4. Akkana Basadi Temple

5. Vindhyagiri Temple

6. Jain Math

7. Kalamma Temple

8. Shopping in Shravanabelagola

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