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This also
said to have been under the guidance and inspiration of Chaundaraya, the illustrious minister who
served under the successive rulers of the Gangas namely Marasimha II, Rachamalla IV and
Rachamalla V. One of the largest temples in the area is the Chaundarya
Basadi dedicated to Neminatha, the 22nd Tirthankara depicted under a seven hooded canopy and
flanked by male chauri bearers. This temple is unique in its style. It belongs to the era of the
western Gangas and is evolved out of the Chalukyan styles at Badami and Aihole. One the same hill can be
seen the Chandraprabha Basadi dedicated to the 8th tirthankara by the same name. It is one of
the oldest basadis on the hill and can be assigned to the early 9th century under the reign of Sivamara,
a Ganga king.
While
at Sravana Belgola one can also gain insights into Jaina mythology through some of the finest
paintings depicted on the walls of the Sri Jains matha. Rich in colours and harmonious in composition,
these paintings of the 18th century depict royal processions and festivities, monks, women in
brightly coloured sarees, forest scenes of wild animals and other topics that shed light on the
domestic, religious and social life of the people.
Another concrete expression of the intensity of Jaina art is
the Sthambha, the free standing pillar in front of every basadi. Elegantly carved out of granite,
these are classified as Brahmadeva Sthambha and Manasthambha. While the former portrays the
figures of Brahmanical gods, the latter is depictive of Jaina faith. Manasthambha pillars can be found
elsewhere in the country but the Brahmadeva pillars are restricted to the South, a fine specimen
of which can be found in front of the gigantic statue of Gommata at Sravanbelagola. Extremely
attractive is the Manasthambha at Mudabidri with a small shrine at the apex surrounded by four
bells and topped with a gold finial. Such pillars
at Karkala and Humcha are equally eye-catching. All these pillars, irrespective of their connotations, are
exquisite pieces of art, elegance and decoration. Another pillar of immense interest is the Tyagada
Brahmadevara Kamba at Sravana Belgola where Chaundaraya has inscribed his genealogy and his
life time achievements. Only segments of the inscription are readable.
Bili-gola (white pond)
Bili-gola (white pond) nestling between the two hills, became Belgola, and consistently used between 650 A.D. and 1889 A.D. Shramana
or Shravana after Digambar monks used this place, was added to form Shravanabelagola. Apart froe there are two ponds on Vindhyagiri
, three on Chandragiri, there are ponds or tanks near almost every
monument. There is no record of construction of ponds before time of Gangaraja (early 12th cent.). There are 7 temples in the town and — more
in Jinanathapura and surrounding areas. The foundation of Jmnanathapura
a northern foot of Chandragiri was undertaken by Gangaraja in 1117. The
Santivara Basadi located here, is the most ornate of the Hoysala Basadis in Karnataka
History
There are inscriptions on the slabs near the right and left foot
of the image of Gommatesvara at Sravana BELGOLA. THE
INSCRIPTION ON THE RIGHT HAND SLAB IS AS FOLLOWS :
Sri-Chamundarajam madisidam;
Sri-Chamundarajan "se" Yv 'v' ittan;
Sri-Gamgaraja suttalayavam madisida;
The first two lines record that Chamunda Raja caused to be
made the image, at the foot of which the inscription is engraved, and the third line that Gamgaraja caused
to be made the buildings which surround the image.
There is a verse in Vahuvali Charitra which purports to give the exact date of the establishment of the image. That verse is as follows:
That is "Sri Chamunda Raya established the image of Gomatesa
in the city of Belgula, in Kumbha Lagna, on a sunday, the fifth day of the bright lunar fortnight, in the month of Chaitra, in the praised yera
Vibbhava, in the Kalki age, known as 600, when the auspicious Mrigasirh star was visible." This date lies between a period 980-984 A.D.
The present seer of Shravanabelagola
The present seer of the Dharmapeetha of Shravanabelagola is Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji. His earlier name was Rathnavarma. He
accepted his sainthood when he was 20 years of age. Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji became the seer of the Dharmapeetha of
Shravanabelagola on April 19, 1970
The Mahamastakabhisheka at
Shravanabelagola
Mahamastakabhisheka is the great head anointing ceremony of Bahubali
have been performed once in every 12 years. The huge statue of Lord Gommateshwara is bathed with thousands of pots of Milk, Ghee, Sandal,
Saffron, Flowers etc. The Mahamasthakabisheka attracts huge number of devotees from all over
the world. The last Mahamastakabisheka Events was held
on February 2006. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018 A.D.
Shravanabelagola Google
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