Sravanabelagola, India
Sravanabelagola, Karnataka, India
Situated 1222 m above sea level, lies the hill of Sravanabelagola which is also known as Vindhyagiri or Perkalbappu. 614 steps lead to the summit of the hill where a huge, 21m high, statue of Sri Gomatheswar stands. This statue is the largest free standing statue in the world and was built in 981 AD. Sri Gomatheswar was the son of the first Tirhankara an enlightened sage of Jainism.
Sravanabelagola translates as “the monk on top of the hill” and this refers not only to the statue but to devotees who took up residence on the hill. Hermits, mystics and ascetics followed their sacred inclinations since at least 3 BC. During 10 BC temples were built and the hill, today, is an important focus of Jain Pilgrimage.
The prime festival of Sravanabelagola is the Maha Masthaka Abhisheka during which over 1 million devotees come to the area. The festival is performed every 12 – 14 years with the last one being held in 2005.
During the festival Scaffolding is built around the statue and devotees chat mantras and pour 1000’s of gallons of a milk, honey and herb mixture over the body of the image. As the mixture runs over the body of the statue it is believed to be charged with a natural, spiritual energy. The charged mixture is distributed amongst the pilgrims in the belief that they will assist in the quest for enlightenment.
