Shravanabelagola
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Shravanabelagola (also: Sravanabelgola, Shravana Belgola; Kannada: ಶ್ರವಣಬೆಳಗೊಳ Sravanabelagola ) is a town in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Shravanabelagola is one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Jainism.
Location
Shravanabelagola is located in the district of Hassan, 158 km away from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. The sanctuary is located on one of the five temples mountains of the Jains, the Vindyagiri (or Indragiri ) and is just walking down stairs (more than 600 steps ) can be achieved. Also on the opposite, slightly smaller Chandragiri hill there are several interesting Jain temples in the Chalukya style. Between two hills almost a square, man-made ponds ( Belagola ) with gatehouses ( gopurams ) is located in the South Indian style.
History
The plant for about 18 m high statue of Bahubali / Gomateshwara which originated around 980 AD, is known. The client was the king of the Ganga dynasty Rachamalla IV ( 974-984 ). Under the supervision of his minister or general Chavundaraya ( 940-989 ), the statue was carved from a single boulder.
Representation
The figure represents the Jain ascetics Gomateshvara (also Gommata or Bahubali called ) that is completely undressed by Digambara custom. His gaze is fixed on the distance to his feet ants have built their hill and around his legs and arms, the tendrils of a plant are grown - a sign of utter absorption in meditation.
Legend
Bahubali was the second son of the first Jain Tirthankara Rishabha (also called Adinath ), which was actually king of Podanpur. Rishaba however, still dispensed to lifetime to rule over his kingdom and divided it among his 99 sons. The eldest of the brothers Bharata then demanded of all his brethren submission and recognition of its sovereignty, prompting a dispute between brother Bahubali and Bharata was kindled, which culminated in a massive march of two armies. However, it was decided that not to decide the war victory and defeat, but a duel between the two brothers, from the Bahubali ( bahu = arm, bali = strong) emerged as the clear winner. However, this decided to spend his life as an ascetic, leaving the defeated brother the kingdom and retired to the solitude of the forest, where he meditated completely immobile. After a conversation with her father, however, convinced him two of his sisters ( Brahmi and Sundari ) believes that his asceticism and is based solely on personal pride and sticking to his ego, which makes the desired enlightenment impossible. This truth recognizing Bahubali went to the royal court back to the inner gained experience and knowledge to other people tell.
The meditation Bahubalis corresponds to the ideal image of the Jaina doctrine of ahimsa, that is, the complete non-violence and the great respect for all living things. However, similar to the legend in some trains also clearly the life of Buddha and how this also Bahubali / Gomateshvara is considered a spiritual teacher who overcame passions like selfishness, jealousy, pride and anger, and came to enlightenment. The return to the court and to his father has parallels to the biblical parable of the ' Prodigal Son ' on.
Bahubali / Gomateshvara statues can be found in most Jain temples of India and are easy on the foliage can be seen on his legs.
Importance
In addition to some older cave temples in Ellora (Maharashtra) and Badami ( Karnataka ), the mountain temples of Mount Abu (Rajasthan) and Shatrunjaya (Gujarat ) and the temple complexes of Ranakpur and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) applies Shravanabelagola as one of the most important Jain temples in India.
Festival
Every 12 years there is the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony, to the arrive, more than 10,000 devout Jains but also many onlookers from all parts of India. The colossal statue with milk, Ghi, coconut milk, honey, yogurt, flowers, colored water and gold coins poured over. For this purpose, a large structure is being built. The last time the event took place in February 2006.
Environment
The remarkable Hindu Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid are 83 km and 89 km away.