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GIANT STATUE IN INDIA
2010-01-26
We would like to share our trip to the cultural heritage site of
Shravanbelgola in India. It is not Europe of course, but as we feel
strongly connected to European heritage, we automatically enjoy all
heritage sites, no matter where they are located. We hope your readers
enjoy it too.
The tallest monolithic structure in the world is not easy to get to. We
have to climb more than 600 stone steps on our bare feet (you leave your
shoes at the entrance) to reach the 17 meter statue of Bahubali. The
beautiful and impressive sculpture dates back to 981 A.D.
Not everybody can make it up the stairs. A busload of French women decide
to take the easy way up to pay tribute to one the most revered sites of
the ancient Jain religion. At the bottom of the hills slim built men are
eagerly awaiting the disabled, old and lazy alike to carry them up the
stairs using some kind of stretcher. The temperatures and humidity force
even these surprisingly agile men to stop every few meters to catch their
breath.
It's easy to understand why this mountain became so important. It rises up
in the surrounding landscape as a enormous round rock in an otherwise flat
area, as a massive ball bobbing in an ocean of palms. From the mountain
you can see the pond glittering in the middle of the town. It is a clear
day and we can even see the temple on a neighbouring mountain which dates
back to the third century.
On top of the mountain, after passing through ancient temples and gates,
the view is stunning. Just below the top a beautiful temple looks like it
could collapse any minute. It is supported by stone beams, but they look
suspiciously fragile compared to the walls of the temple. On the smooth
rock ancient inscriptions can be seen in different Indian languages. They
are protected from the weather and the curious by plexiglass covers.
Entering the main temple area, you are taken in by the contemplative
atmosphere around the statue. Monks are softly chanting, even tourists are
speaking in hushes tones and taking pictures with a apologising gesture.
Bhagavan Gomateshwara Bahubali was the second of the one hundred sons of
the first enlightened king of Podanpur. The statue was erected by
Chamundaraya, a general of King Gangaraya, who erected the statue out of
love for his mother.
Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the
Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is covered
with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins The next
Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018.
In 2007 the statue was voted as the first of Seven Wonders of India
getting 49% of the voters in a poll by the Times of India newspaper.
If you visit Karnataka in India, we could recommend to make your way
there. We had a wonderful time.
How to get there: Shravanbelgola is at a distance of 48 kms from Hassan in
the Indian state of Karnataka and is 160 km from Bangalore. Bangalore
airport is closest. Shravanbelagola can be reached from Mysore by private
taxi or for the more adventurous by bus. Expect the trip to take 2 hours
from Mysore.
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