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Shravanabelagola Bahubali

Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Karnataka
Lord Hanuman
More in Karnataka

Type

Hindu Temple

Deity

Lord Hanuman

Pincode

573135

Home to the 58-foot (17.7 m) monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali — the largest free-standing statue in the world at the time of its completion (981 CE). The statue is visible 30 km away. Every 12 years, the Mahamastakabhisheka (grand anointment ceremony) draws 1 million pilgrims who pour milk, honey, saffron, and gold coins over the statue.

History & Significance

Significance

Home to the 981 CE monolithic statue of Gommateshvara (Bahubali), commissioned by the Ganga dynasty minister Chavundaraya and carved from a single block of granite standing around 57 feet tall. It is a major Jain pilgrimage site, most famous for the Mahamastakabhisheka anointing ceremony held roughly once every twelve years.

Plan Your Circuit

Nearby Temples

Closest temples by distance — worth combining into the same trip.

Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple

A hilltop Vishnu temple of great spiritual significance to the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Ramanujacharya spent many years here and installed the 'Sampige Narayana' deity. The annual Vairamudi festival, where Lord Cheluvanarayana is adorned with a diamond crown, draws lakhs of pilgrims.

Photo: Wikipedia article "Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple" — CC-licensed via Wikimedia Commons

Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple

Melkote, Karnataka28 km
Lord Ranganatha

Lakshmi

A 12th-century CE Hoysala masterpiece — considered one of the finest examples of Hoysala art after Belur and Halebid. Built by Buci, a minister of King Vishnuvardhana. Four shrines face the cardinal directions; the Channakeshava and Lakshmi Narayana shrines have exceptionally fine sculptures. A hidden gem of Karnataka heritage.

Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple

Doddagaddavalli, Karnataka45 km
Goddess Lakshmi

Ranganatha

A Vishnu temple on the historic island of Srirangapatna — the former capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan, despite being Muslim, was a devotee of this temple and gifted it precious jewels. The site also has Tipu's summer palace and the place where he fell in battle (1799).

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Srirangapatna

Srirangapatna, Karnataka54 km
Lord Ranganatha

Shiva

The largest Hoysala temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Hoysaleshwara and Shanthhaleshwara. The entire outer wall is covered with an extraordinary 240-metre frieze of animals, mythological scenes, and intricate carvings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site (2023) just 16 km from Belur.

Hoysaleshwara Temple Halebid

Halebid, Karnataka66 km
Lord Shiva