Gomateshwara
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gomateshwara is a monolithic statue standing at 60 feet above a hill in a place called Shravanabelagola in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. The statue was built by the Ganga minister and commander Chamundaraya in honour of Lord Bahubali. It was built in the 10th century AD and is the size Jains believe humans used to be. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, devotees and tourists from all over the world flock to the statue once in 12 years for an event known as Mahamastakabhisheka. On August 5, 2007, the statue was voted by Indians as the first of Seven Wonders of India[1]. 49% votes went in favor of this marvel.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The colossal monolithic statue of Gomateshwara is situated at Shravanabelagola, 158 km away from Bangalore. This gigantic statue of lord Gomateshwara, the Jain saint, is carved out of a single block of granite and stands majestically on top of a hill. For centuries, Shravanabelagola has remained a great Jain center and thousands of pilgrims flock to see the magnificent, gigantic statue of the Jain saint, Lord Gomateshwara. The statue of Gomateshwara shows the recluse completely nude, in the Jain custom. This statue of lord Gomateshwara is 17m. (55 ft) high and is visible from a distance of 30km.
This statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. This statue of lord Gomateshwara was created around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King, Rachamalla (Raachmalla SathyaVaak IV 975-986 AD). The neighbouring areas have Jaina bastis and several images of the Jaina Thirthankaras. One can have a beautiful view of the surrounding areas from the top of the hill. At Shravanabelagola the Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held once in 12 years, when the image of Gomateshwara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins.
[edit] References
Event Event : Mahamastakabhisheka The event of a lifetime unfolds - grand event - truly Karnataka's honour and India 's pride. Mahamastakabhisheka, one of India 's most important religious events, and one that occurs only once in every 12 years, will take place soon! The grand event, the head anointing ceremony of Lord Bahubali who stands serenely atop a hill in Shravanabelagola in Hassan District in Karnataka State, South India, is scheduled between the 8th and 19th of February 2006.
An ancient town overlooked by two rocky hills, Chandragiri and Indragiri, Shravanabelagola draws over 30 lakh devotees from across the world who throng the place to seek solace at the feet of the colossal monolith of Lord Gomateshwara, a perfect testimony to compassion, serenity, sacrifice and grace.
The devotees include believers not just from the Jain community, but from across - cutting through barriers of caste, creed, and religion.
During the 10 hour ceremony, priests climb the 618 steps leading to the 57 foot monolith, the largest in the world, and empty hundreds of pots of tender coconut, sugarcane juice, milk, rice flour, turmeric paste, kashaya (a herbal concoction), shrigandha (sandal paste), chandana (coloured sandal paste), ashtagandha (eight varieties of sandal paste), saffron, gold and silver flowers, and precious stones.
A spectacular finale to this splendid ceremony is a shower of flowers from a helicopter.
Shravanabelagola is situated about 140 km northwest of the city of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. The town has been a prominent centre for Jain art, architecture, religion and culture for over two millennia. About two thousand years ago, Bhagawan Bhadrabahu, the earliest among the great Jain Acharyas came to Shravanabelagola from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, with his disciples. Influenced by this ascetic, Chandragupta Maurya, the great emperor who ruled a large part of India, settled in this region, handing over the reins of his kingdom to his son.
Legend has it that Lord Gomateshwara, also known as Bahubali, was the son of the first Jain Teerthankara, Lord Adinatha. Challenged by his brother Bharatha over the succession to the throne, Bahubali took on Bharatha in a duel that involved three forms - Drishtiyuddha, Mallayuddha and Jalayuddha. Though Bahubali finally emerged victorious, he was overwhelmed by both the enormity and the futility of the desire for material wealth - a pursuit that sets brother against brother. He then renounced his kingdom and all other worldly pleasures.
Driven by his quest for the ultimate bliss or Moksh, Bahubali stood in deep meditation and radiated the glow of spiritual tranquility. Chavundaraya, prime minister and commander-in-chief of the Ganga Kingdom, consecrated the statue of Bahubali in meditative form in 981 AD. The magnificent monolith has seen a thousand springs, and to this day stands as an embodiment of extraordinary renunciation for which the Jain philosophy stands for.
In appreciation of the majesty, splendour and strong spiritual significance, Bahubali came to be known as Gomata. The statue, which has withstood the test of time so well, reinforcing the truth "realisation of the self is the real way to Moksh (salvation)".
The statue of Lord Gomateshwara has withstood the test of time reinforcing the truth, "Realization of the self is the real way to Moksh".
The long-awaited Mahamastakabhisheka of Bhagwan Bahubali, the first in the new millennium, will be held from the 8th to 19th February 2006. Acharya Sri Vardhamansagar Maharaj who graced the previously held Mahamastakabhisheka in 1993 will grace the present event. The inauguration of the Mahotsava is scheduled for Sunday, the 22nd January 2006 .
A grand festival that comes alive once in 12 years, the Mahamastakabhisheka is held for 9 days. The 10-hour ceremony that is estimated to attract over 30 lakh devotees, involves the anointing of the gigantic monolith of Lord Gomateshwara. On the occasion, appointed priests anoint the Lord, first with water, and then with tender coconut, sugarcane juice, milk, rice flour, turmeric paste, kashaya (a herbal concoction), shrigandha (sandal paste), chandana (coloured sandal paste), ashtagandha (eight varieties of sandal paste), saffron, gold and silver flowers, precious stones and finally with a shower of flowers.
 |
This article about an Indian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
[edit] How to Reach there
Shravanabelagula is well connected in all modes of travel. It is just 3 hour journey on road from India's IT city Bangalore. You can also reach there by Train. It is very beside to NH 48 Bangalore to Mangalore.
[edit] Best Time to visit
Any time in a year is good visit. The weather is awesome and seldom reaches 35' C in summer. Normal temperature hangs aroung 15 C to 30 C through out the year.
Nearby places to Visit [1]
World class Belur, Halebid temple. The Nuggehalli Temples of Sadashiva and LakshmiNarasimha (road to here is situated before the Shravanabelagola road on NH 48 on the right side from bangalore) and many more spots.....
