Gommateshwara statue

Gommateshwara Bahubali

Gommateshwara statue

The 57ft high monolithic statue of Bahubali
Shown within Karnataka
Basic information
Location Shravanbelagola, Hassan district, Karnataka, India
Geographic coordinates 12°51′14″N 76°29′05″E / 12.854026°N 76.484677°E / 12.854026; 76.484677Coordinates: 12°51′14″N 76°29′05″E / 12.854026°N 76.484677°E / 12.854026; 76.484677
Affiliation Jainism
Deity Bahubali

Gommateshwara Statue is a 57-foot (17 m) high monolithic statue located on Vindyagiri hill at Shravanbelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka. Vindyagiri (Kannada: ವಿಂಧ್ಯಗಿರಿ) is one of the two hills in Shravanabelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka. The other one being Chandragiri which is also a seat of several very ancient Jain centres, dating back much older than Gommateshwara statue.

The statue Gommateshwara is dedicated to the Jain god Bahubali. It was built in around 983 A.D. and is one of the largest free standing statues in the world.[1] The construction of the statue was commissioned by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander, Chavundaraya. Neighboring areas have Jain temples known as basadis and several images of the Tirthankaras.

One can have a beautiful view of the surrounding areas from the top of the hill. An event known as Mahamastakabhisheka attracts devotees from all over the world.[2] The Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held once in 12 years, when the Gommateshwara statue is anointed with milk, saffron, ghee, etc. to maintain its freshness.[1] The upcoming edition of the abhisheka will be in February 2018.[3]

On August 5, 2007, the statue was voted as the first of Seven Wonders of India; 49% of the total votes went in favor of it.[4]

Iconography

The statue depicts the prolonged meditation of Bahubali. The motionless contemplation in kayotsarga (standing still) posture led to the growth of climbing vines around his legs.[5] In the introduction to his English translation of the Gommatsāra, J.L. Jaini writes:

Monoliths

There are 5 monolithic Gommateshwara statues in Karnataka measuring more than 6 m (20 feet) in height.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Zimmer 1953, p. 212.
  2. ↑ Official website Hassan District
  3. ↑ "Mahamastakabhisheka to be held in February 2018". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  4. ↑ "And India's 7 wonders are...". The Times of India. August 5, 2007.
  5. ↑ Jain, Champat Rai (1929). Risabha Deva - The Founder of Jainism. Allahabad: K. Mitra, Indian Press. p. 145.
  6. ↑ Jaini 1927, p. 7-8.

References

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