Date of Visit 12-Feb-2011
This famous Jain temple in Karnataka has the world's tallest monolithic statue (of
Gomateshwara) and dates back to 978-993 AD according to wikipedia. This 55ft statue of Gomateshwara is visible from 30kms.
Read more of Shravanabelagola from
wikipedia here.
The temple is atop a hillock ( looks a huge rock rather!). The 600 steps one takes to reach the top are so steep that people with vertigo may find it troublesome! The view from the top is stunning though!
I read from the net that every 12 years, the monolith is anointed with 1008 pots of sacred water, milk, and flowers. Wow..that would be a sight ..isn't it?. This ritual called Mahamasthakabhisheka is scheduled to happen next in 2018.! Mark your calender !
2018 is still long way off, till then looking at some photos of this great place wouldn't hurt..!
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Can you see the beeline of people treading the snake path
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| I thought will visit this temple on my return journey.. But did not have the energy..! |
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| It was so windy that it can easily put you off balance.! |
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Most distinguished pilgrim of the day!
Waiting anxiously for his friend!
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| The declination is kind of scary! |
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| I was glad.. I thought I reached the top..only to realize there is one more top at the top! Getting to the top is not really easy..(lol)! |
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| What is seen in the background is the temple of Adhinath and Neminath - important Jain Theerthangars |
The two staged temple complex contains the idols of some important Jain
Theerthangaras Adhinatha (First theerthangara) and Neminatha (22nd theerthangara). There are no artificial lighting in this temple and viewing the idols inside the dark sanctum sanctorum under oil lamp is really awesome!
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| Adinath- The first Theerthangar.. (I hate to use flash..but I had to for this..the ambient light is too low) |
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| The view from here is simply awesome! |
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| My family was sitting and enjoying the cool breeze while I was having a blast with my Digicam! |
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| Steps to the second stage starts from this mandapam |
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| Scripts on the rock are protected by the mica sheets |
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| Here we go..let's climb up to see Gomateshwar |
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| We are almost there..the back-lighting spoiled the grandeur of the above shot |
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| One more set of steps! |
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| I hope this is final! |
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| Yes..It is..Here is the Head of famous & 55 ft tall Gomateshwara.! |
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| Enter this temple..you are in..! |
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| Awesome .. Isn't it? |
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| Every thing looks tiny against the backdrop of Gomateshwara statue! |
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| Idols of all the 24 Theerthangaras are in this corridor going round the Gomateshwar Statue |
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| Not easy ..just to photograph this...How would it have been to sculpt this..! |
The collection of pictures is simply amazing! This place has been on my list of places to see for so long...maybe I should target 2018, it would be quite a place then :)
ReplyDeleteMore fantastic photos,Sridharan! I love starting my day with one of your incredible tours. And, I think it is wonderful that you and your family can and do enjoy these visits together. So glad you enjoy photography so you can share the beauty and history of your country with us!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe first images of this place was through Amar Chitra Katha [ have not visited this place yet] and your post with pictures, spurs one to do so!
Never knew about the mica sheets protecting the scripts.
The pillar is gorgeous.
Wonderful shots of the place. The visit to this place has been pending for me since a long time now.
ReplyDeleteExcellent shots! I think i have seen the abhishek on discovery... a marvelous place indeed!
ReplyDeleteWow! so many pics. I was there some time back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Siddhartha.. You should make it much before 2018, so that you are well prepared for the event!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sylvia.. I do enjoy photgraphy.. I can't say that of my wife though!(lol)
Thanks ?..Nice catch..your point on Amar Chitra Katha..Fantastic place.. I guess there are a couple of more temples in Shravanabelagola!
Thanks Rajesh.. You should visit it soon. Climbing the rock in Summer could be killing!
Thanks Arti.. Yes.. I too now recollect having seen the Abhishek on discovery.!
True Indrani! ..So many pictures..but could cover so few dimensions of the grandeur of this place, you would agree,I guess. Thanks for stopping by!
wow , lovely place and bare foot climb in summer would be just awesome .
ReplyDelete