Vindhyagiri Temple

Grand entrance of Vindhyagiri temple - Shravanabelagola

Vindhyagiri temple, also known as Odegala Basadi, is situated at Vindhyagiri Hills. This temple enshrines the figures of Jain Tirthankaras, namely the Neminatha, Shantinatha and Adinatha. It represents the rock-cut architectural form and has three cells. Akhanda-bagilu is the main entrance of the temple. The idols of Lord Bahubali and his brother Bharata are carved near the temple.

Located in the Hassan district of the state Karnataka, Shravanabelagola is famous worldwide for its splendid Jain Temples. The statue of the Saint Gommateshvara Bahubali in the city is one of the most significant pilgrimage places for Jains and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. There are many antique monuments in and around Shravanabelagola and are of a typical brilliance and expertise executed by the Gangas and Hoysalas.

The two renowned monuments situated in the city are Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri. Shravanabelagola travel guide is full of references to the spiritual gateways. The city has also been named as the White Pond of the Shravana as Belagola in Kannad signifies white pond. It is said that the two persons, named Acharya Bhadrabahu and his disciple Chandragupta Maurya have meditated here. An attraction, Chandragupta Basadi, devoted to Chandragupta Maurya was made by Ashoka in the third century BC adds an extra feather in the cap of Shravanabelagola.

Source : shravanabelagola.net

This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The collection comprises of 100, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...

Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!

Reach us at rupindang [at] gmail [dot] com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com

Vindhyagiri Hill, Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

Vindhyagiri Hill is one of the two hills in Shravanabelagola in Karnataka state, India. For more information on this video click -

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Vindhyagiri's Ancient Temples in Shravanabelagola- (Vindhyagiri: The Forgotten Glory)

Explore the forgotten archaeological treasures on the Vindhyagiri hill in Shravanabelagola- an important Jain pilgrimage site. The ancient site has temples dedicated to Jainism. We explore various jewels of sculptural art- Hoysala art and architecture as well as Ganga dynasty arts. We also witness the magnificent monolith f Gomteshwar Bahubali- the tallest such in the world!

An original research film project designed and conceptualized by Sukhnidhey Films, the only 'OUTSTANDING' rated Archaeology, Heritage and Travel Filmmakers-Photographers in India as recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

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Vindhyagiri Gomateshwara part 01

A monolithic statue of Bahubali referred to as Gommateshvara built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chavundaraya is a 57 feet monolith and is situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. It was built in the 10th century AD. Thousands of devotees from all over the world come to see this statue & once in 12 years an event known as Mahamastakabhisheka will be held. On August 5, 2007, the statue was voted by Indians as the first of Seven Wonders of India.
This statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. It was created around 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King, Rachamalla (Raachmalla SathyaVaak IV 975-986 AD). Neighboring areas have Jaina bastis and several images of the Tirthankaras. 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 Gommateshvara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. This statue is now proposed as World Heritage Site by the Government of India.
According to the Jain literature, Bharat and Bahubali were two sons of Bhagwaan Rishabh Dev, the first Teerthankar of this epoch. When Bhagwaan Rishabh Dev renounced his kingdom, he gave a portion of it to each one of his sons. Bharat and Bahubali also received their shares.
A few years later, Bharat decided to become the supreme ruler of the world (Chakravarti). He demanded that all other kings should accept his supremacy. All the kings, including his brothers except Bahubali conceded. However, Bahubali challenged Bharat. The armies of Bharat and Bahubali faced each other, ready to fight. The ministers of Bharat and Bahubali were worried about the bloodshed. Therefore, they counseled that the two brothers should engage in hand-to-hand combat to determine the winner. Bahubali and Bharat agreed.
The first round was a water-duel between Bharat and Bahubali. They stood in the knee-deep water of a river and sprayed each other with water. Bahubali won the round. The next round was a sight-duel. The two brothers stood in the sun, staring at each other. The one who blinked first was to lose the round. Again, Bharat lost. The final round was wrestling. A huge crowd had gathered. The supporters of each were cheering. In the course of the duel, Bahubali picked up Bharat. Carrying Bharat above his head, he whirled him in air as he paced the ring. Bahubali's supporters were very happy and excited. Bahubali was close to becoming the supreme ruler of the world. At that moment, he thought that he was about to hurt and humiliate his own brother for the sake of name and fame. He contemplated, Such pride is false. What good is being a king or a supreme ruler of the world? Such desires are endless. Fulfillment of such desires cannot lead to peace of mind. He gently put Bharat down on his feet. He renounced his kingdom, and, started on the path to true happiness and peace of mind.
Bahubali spent many years in meditation and penance. According to legend, he stood meditating for such a long time that anthills formed on the ground where he stood, snakes lay coiled at his feet, and creepers grew around them. But he did not attain omniscience (Keval Jnaan) because he had one straining conceit (Shalya) in his mind. He was thinking that he was standing on the ground owned by his brother Bharat. For this reason, he could not shed the knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, deluding and obstructing karmas that influence the soul. When Bharat came and consoled him, his mental strain vanished and he attained omniscience and Nirvana.
Bhagwaan Bahubali was a great soul and his story enlightens our lives.

Shravanabelagola Jain Temple in Karnataka, Jainism Religion, India

Shravanabelagola (Kannada:ಶ್ರವಣಬೆಳಗೊಳ Śravaṇa Beḷagoḷa) is a city located near Channarayapatna of Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is 158 km from Bangalore, the capital of the state. The statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas (pilgrimage destinations) in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural activity under the patronage of Western Ganga dynasty of Talakad. Chandragupta Maurya is said to have died here in 298 BCE after he became a Jain monk and assumed an ascetic life style. (Wikipedia)

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Vindhyagiri temple illuminated during the Mahamastakabhishek of Bahubali

Sunset down and the entire Vindhyagiri temple is illuminated with lights on the occasion of Mahamastakabhisheka festival in Hassan district of Karnataka, India.

Located in the Hassan district of the state Karnataka, Shravanabelagola is famous worldwide for its splendid Jain Temples. The statue of the Saint Gommateshvara Bahubali in the city is one of the most significant pilgrimage places for Jains and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. There are many antique monuments in and around Shravanabelagola and are of a typical brilliance and expertise executed by the Gangas and Hoysalas.

The two renowned monuments situated in the city are Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri. Shravanabelagola travel guide is full of references to the spiritual gateways. The city has also been named as the White Pond of the Shravana as Belagola in Kannad signifies white pond. It is said that the two persons, named Acharya Bhadrabahu and his disciple Chandragupta Maurya have meditated here. An attraction, Chandragupta Basadi, devoted to Chandragupta Maurya was made by Ashoka in the third century BC adds an extra feather in the cap of Shravanabelagola.

Source : shravanabelagola.net

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This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The collection comprises of 100, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...

Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!

Reach us at rupindang [at] gmail [dot] com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com

SHRAVANABELAGOLA and NUGGAHALLI INDIA PART 14

SHRAVANABELAGOLA INDIA PART 14
Most sacred Jaine 57 foot tall monolithic statue top of a 500 foot hill
NUGGAHALLI hindu temple carvings

The shrine of Bahubali or Gomateswara atop Vindhyagiri Hills, Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

View of Shravanbelagola and Vindhygiri hills with the statue of Bahubali, also called Gomateswara or Gomatesvara or Gommaṭeśvara, who was the eldest son of the first Tirthankara (prophet) of Jain sect, named Adinatha. The statue is carved from granite and a 57 ft tall monolithic sculpture. It is about 1000 years old.


For more videos, please subscribe to my channel.
For still photographs please visit: 500px.com/sriroyc and my facebook page: facebook.com/srijanrc.photography
Higher resolution prints are available for sale, please contact me.

©2016 Srijan Roy Choudhury, All Rights Reserved.

SHRAVANABELAGOLA TEMPLE HILLS AERIAL VIEW - CHANDRAGIRI - VINDHYAGIRI- CHANNARAYAPATNA, KARNATAKA

1.Shravanabelagola, Channarayapatnataluk, Hassan District Karnataka
Gomateshwara Bahubali Statue Shri Bhagwan Bahubali Digambar Jain Statue
Vindhyagiri Hill

2. Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola, Channarayapatnataluk, Hassan District, Karnataka
A number of Jain basadis are found on the Hill. Some of the prominent ones are:
Shantinatha Basadi
Parshwanatha Basadi
Chandragupta Basadi
Kattale Basadi
Majjigana Basadi
Shasana Basadi
Chandraprabha Basadi
Parshwanatha Basadi II
Chavundaraya Basadi
Eradukatte Basadi
Savatigandhavarana Basadi
TerinaBasadi
Shantishwara Basadi
Iruve-Brahmadeva Basadi
Bhadrabahu Cave, Marasimha's Manastambha, Mahanavami Mantapa, Bhadrabahu Inscriptions, Gangaraja Mantap and Nishidhi Mantaps

Vindhyagiri Sharavanabelagola part 02

A monolithic statue of Bahubali referred to as Gommateshvara built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chavundaraya is a 57 feet monolith and is situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. It was built in the 10th century AD. Thousands of devotees from all over the world come to see this statue & once in 12 years an event known as Mahamastakabhisheka will be held. On August 5, 2007, the statue was voted by Indians as the first of Seven Wonders of India.
This statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the world. It was created around 983 AD by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King, Rachamalla (Raachmalla SathyaVaak IV 975-986 AD). Neighboring areas have Jaina bastis and several images of the Tirthankaras. 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 Gommateshvara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. This statue is now proposed as World Heritage Site by the Government of India.
According to the Jain literature, Bharat and Bahubali were two sons of Bhagwaan Rishabh Dev, the first Teerthankar of this epoch. When Bhagwaan Rishabh Dev renounced his kingdom, he gave a portion of it to each one of his sons. Bharat and Bahubali also received their shares.
A few years later, Bharat decided to become the supreme ruler of the world (Chakravarti). He demanded that all other kings should accept his supremacy. All the kings, including his brothers except Bahubali conceded. However, Bahubali challenged Bharat. The armies of Bharat and Bahubali faced each other, ready to fight. The ministers of Bharat and Bahubali were worried about the bloodshed. Therefore, they counseled that the two brothers should engage in hand-to-hand combat to determine the winner. Bahubali and Bharat agreed.
The first round was a water-duel between Bharat and Bahubali. They stood in the knee-deep water of a river and sprayed each other with water. Bahubali won the round. The next round was a sight-duel. The two brothers stood in the sun, staring at each other. The one who blinked first was to lose the round. Again, Bharat lost. The final round was wrestling. A huge crowd had gathered. The supporters of each were cheering. In the course of the duel, Bahubali picked up Bharat. Carrying Bharat above his head, he whirled him in air as he paced the ring. Bahubali's supporters were very happy and excited. Bahubali was close to becoming the supreme ruler of the world. At that moment, he thought that he was about to hurt and humiliate his own brother for the sake of name and fame. He contemplated, Such pride is false. What good is being a king or a supreme ruler of the world? Such desires are endless. Fulfillment of such desires cannot lead to peace of mind. He gently put Bharat down on his feet. He renounced his kingdom, and, started on the path to true happiness and peace of mind.
Bahubali spent many years in meditation and penance. According to legend, he stood meditating for such a long time that anthills formed on the ground where he stood, snakes lay coiled at his feet, and creepers grew around them. But he did not attain omniscience (Keval Jnaan) because he had one straining conceit (Shalya) in his mind. He was thinking that he was standing on the ground owned by his brother Bharat. For this reason, he could not shed the knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, deluding and obstructing karmas that influence the soul. When Bharat came and consoled him, his mental strain vanished and he attained omniscience and Nirvana.
Bhagwaan Bahubali was a great soul and his story enlightens our lives.

The statue of Bahubali atop Vindhyagiri Hills at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

View of Shravanbelagola and Vindhygiri hills with the statue of Bahubali, also called Gomateswara or Gomatesvara or Gommaṭeśvara, who was the eldest son of the first Tirthankara (prophet) of Jain sect, named Adinatha. The statue is carved from granite and a 57 ft tall monolithic sculpture. It is about 1000 years old.


For more videos, please subscribe to my channel.
For still photographs please visit: 500px.com/sriroyc and my facebook page: facebook.com/srijanrc.photography
Higher resolution prints are available for sale, please contact me.

©2016 Srijan Roy Choudhury, All Rights Reserved.

Bahubali puja during Mahamastak Abhisheka Festival - Karnataka

Who is coming to Karnataka for the once-in-twelve-years prayer at the largest monolithic stone statue in the world, in February 2018?

Passing along the trunk road leading from Bangalore to the western coast one's eyes are immediately arrested on approaching Channaraya patna, by a beautiful hill, bearing on its summit what appears at first to be a column. As one draws closer, one can see a colossal statue partially hidden behind the hill. This striking and unusual monolith, visible from miles away, marks the site of one of the most interesting tourist and religious spots in south India.

Shravana Belagola in the state of Karnataka derives its name from the Kannada words – bel or white and Gola or pond, in allusion to the splendid large tank in the middle of the area. The tank is also called Bhudevi mangala darsa- or simply Kalyani: the mirror of good fortune to the earth goddess.

It is a large village situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka. At 3347 feet above sea level stands this enormous statue of Gommatesvara popularly known as Bahubali or 'The One With Strong Arms.'

Bahubali was the second of the hundred sons of Tirthankara Rishabha, the founder of Jainism. A much revered figure among Jains, Bahubali’s story exemplifies the inner strength of Indians. He could have procured the title of Chakravartin - an emperor, but he chose to give up everything and became a Digambara Jain monk. Bahubali meditated motionless for an entire year in kayotsarga posture or “standing meditation” because of which climbers grew around his legs, thus the vine motif on the legs of this statue.

This place, at the foot of the Vindhya hills, became a consecrated place for meditation by rishis on their path to obtain moksha or freedom from the cycle of re-birth.

These ascetics were fore-warned of a dreadful famine which would last 12 years, upon which the whole sangha or Jaina religious brotherhood foresook the northern regions and under his leadership migrated to the south. The festival of Mahamastak Abhishek thus, has a gap of 12 years between it’s celebration.
The stage is set for the elaborate Mahamastakabhisheka or head-anointment ceremony of the world's largest free standing statue of Bahubali atop Vindhyagiri hill.

The first records of Mahamastakabhisheka date back to March, 13, 981 and the last Mahamastakabhishek took place in February 2006, with the next one only due in 2018.

Built by the ganga dynasty this 57 foot high statue, a daunting symbol of generosity and sacrifice gets anointed once every 12 years. Here priests with thousands of specially prepared vessels , singing hymns in the praise of the gods pour consecrated water from a special scaffolding made to reach atop the mammoth statue..

For 10 hours Bahubali is bathed in milk, coconut water, sugarcane juice, turmeric, flower petals, sandalwood and Saffron paste,
Here The deity is showered with powders of Sandalwood and camphor.

The stone sculpture carved out of single piece of rock symbolises renunciation, self-control and subjugation of the ego as the first steps towards salvation.

Turmeric is poured …. As the vibrant colours cascade down the statue the thousands of Jain devotees gathered here sing hymns in praise of Bahubali.

The nude form of Lord Bahubali also referred to as Digambara , or one who represents complete victory over earthly desires. The ritual of the sacred bath occupies an important place in all indian religions be it Hindu, Buddhist or Jain.

As the day turns to evening buckets of rich Vermilion- a symbol for virility in our culture, is poured on bahubali.

Offerings of petals, gold and silver coins, as well as precious stones are made to Gomateshwara by his many devotees.
If you are one of those people who seek a Divine Relationship with God or nature, forgiveness, Healing, guidance and personal transformation, then a spiritual journey of the Mahamastakabhisheka will help you accomplish just that! If not, it is still a spectacle to enrich all of ones senses.

This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of 50, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...

Please subscribe to our channel wildfilmsindia on Youtube for a steady stream of videos from across India. Also, visit and enjoy your journey across India at clipahoy.com , India's first video-based social networking experience!

Reach us at rupindang@gmail.com and admin@wildfilmsindia.com

PM Modi arrives in Shravanabelagola Bahubali Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsav

Hassan (Karnataka), Feb 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Karnataka’s Shravanabelagola for the Bahubali Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsav. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the newly carved 630 steps on the Vindhyagiri hill that takes the disciples to the top for a darshan of the 58.8 feet tall monolithic statue of Bahubali. Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will flag off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. He will also lay the foundation stone for the broadening of the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway.

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Chandragiri Jain Basadis - Gomateeshwara Bahubali - Bhadrabahu Cave - Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

Chandragiri Hill Jain Basadis - Shravanabelagola, Hassan District, Karnataka, India
Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola, Channarayapatnataluk, Hassan DistrictKarnataka
A number of Jain basadis are found on the Hill. Some of the prominent ones are:
Shantinatha Basadi
Parshwanatha Basadi
Chandragupta Basadi
Kattale Basadi
Majjigana Basadi
Shasana Basadi
Chandraprabha Basadi
Parshwanatha Basadi II
Chavundaraya Basadi
Eradukatte Basadi
Savatigandhavarana Basadi
Terina Basadi
Shantishwara Basadi
Iruve-Brahmadeva Basadi
Bhadrabahu Cave, Marasimha's Manastambha, MahanavamiMantapa, Bhadrabahu Inscriptions, GangarajaMantap and NishidhiMantaps

Shravanabelagola, Channarayapatnataluk, Hassan District Karnataka
GomateshwaraBahubali Statue Shri BhagwanBahubaliDigambar Jain Statue
Vindhyagiri Hill

Shravanabelagola Bahubali

Shravanabelagola (Śravaṇa Beḷagoḷa) is a town located near Channarayapatna of Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is 158 km from Bengaluru, the capital of the state.

The Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas (pilgrimage destinations) in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural activity under the patronage of Western Ganga dynasty of Talakad.

Chandragupta Maurya is said to have died here in 298 BCE after he became a Jain monk and assumed an ascetic life style. The statue was carved during the period of Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King Rajamalla between 982 and 983 CE. The town of Shravanabelagola is famous with several Jain temples and historical sites.

Shravanabelagola is famous for two hills called Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri where most of the monuments are located. These two hills are spread on both sides of Temple Pond. There are several historical basadis within the town as well. The main temple of Gomateswara is located on Vindhyagiri hill along with Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Kamba, Siddhara Basadi, Chennanna Basadi, Akhanda Bagilu, etc. Chandragiri is home for about 14 shrines among which Chamundaraya Basadi, Chandragupta Basadi, Chandraprabha Basadi, Kattale Basadi and Parshwanatha Basadi are important.

It usually takes one full day to visit all the historical monuments in Shravanabelagola. For those who can't trek the hill, Dolis are available at the entrance of the temple that charge about Rs. 800 including return. Once in 12 years, Shravanabelagola celebrates the Mahamastakabhisheka festival which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over India. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in Feb 2018.

The great emperor of Mouryan Dynasty Chandragupta Mourya has spent his last days in Shravanabelagola after becoming a follower of Jainism. His grandson Emperor Ashoka has built a basadi for him on Chadragiri hill in 3rd Century BC. There are more than 800 well preserved inscriptions dated between 6th and 19th century in Shravanabelagola.

Shravanabelagola is the seat of the ancient Bhattaraka Matha, belonging to the Desiya Gana lineage of Mula Sangh, from the Digambara monastic tradition. The Bhattarakas are all named Charukeerti.

Shravanabelagola Jain temple

Shravanabelagola Jain temple, Karnataka

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Shravanabelagola | Bahubali Gomateshwara Statue l Tripaholic Indian

Shravanabelagola is one of the Seven Wonders of the India, this is an important Jain pilgrim center, which is located in the Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India. It’s 150 Kms from Bangalore, 80 Kms from Mysore & 50Kms from Hassan.
Shravanabelagola is famous for monolithic stone statue of The Loard Gommateshwara “Bahubali”, (The world's largest monolithic stone statue) which is approx. 18 meters (58 feet) high is located above the hill which is known as Vindhyagiri/Indragiri hill. The 700 steps (as per local people saying )to the top, cutout in the rock must be climbed barefoot as footwear is not allowed at the temple premisses.

In this vlog you will see the construction of a scaffolding to the Gommateshwara statue and inside the temple premisses, which is the preparation for Mahamasthakabhisheka (The head anointing ceremony which is performed once in 12 years)

How to Reach:-
By air:- The nearest airport is at Bangalore (150 kms)
By Rail:- Shravanabelagola is connected by railways to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan.
By Road:- Shravanabelagola is well-connected by roads to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan.

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Bahubali puja during Mahamastak Abhisheka Festival - Karnataka

Passing along the trunk road leading from Bangalore to the western coast one's eyes are immediately arrested on approaching Channaraya patna, by a beautiful hill, bearing on its summit what appears at first to be a column. As one draws closer, one can see a colossal statue partially hidden behind the hill. This striking and unusual monolith, visible from miles away, marks the site of one of the most interesting tourist and religious spots in south India.

Shravana Belagola in the state of Karnataka derives its name from the Kannada words – bel or white and Gola or pond, in allusion to the splendid large tank in the middle of the area. The tank is also called Bhudevi mangala darsa- or simply Kalyani: the mirror of good fortune to the earth goddess.

It is a large village situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka. At 3347 feet above sea level stands this enormous statue of Gommatesvara popularly known as Bahubali or 'The One With Strong Arms.'

Bahubali was the second of the hundred sons of Tirthankara Rishabha, the founder of Jainism. A much revered figure among Jains, Bahubali’s story exemplifies the inner strength of Indians. He could have procured the title of Chakravartin - an emperor, but he chose to give up everything and became a Digambara Jain monk. Bahubali meditated motionless for an entire year in kayotsarga posture or “standing meditation” because of which climbers grew around his legs, thus the vine motif on the legs of this statue.

This place, at the foot of the Vindhya hills, became a consecrated place for meditation by rishis on their path to obtain moksha or freedom from the cycle of re-birth.

These ascetics were fore-warned of a dreadful famine which would last 12 years, upon which the whole sangha or Jaina religious brotherhood foresook the northern regions and under his leadership migrated to the south. The festival of Mahamastak Abhishek thus, has a gap of 12 years between it’s celebration.
The stage is set for the elaborate Mahamastakabhisheka or head-anointment ceremony of the world's largest free standing statue of Bahubali atop Vindhyagiri hill.

The first records of Mahamastakabhisheka date back to March, 13, 981 and the last Mahamastakabhishek took place in February 2006, with the next one only due in 2018.

Built by the ganga dynasty this 57 foot high statue, a daunting symbol of generosity and sacrifice gets anointed once every 12 years. Here priests with thousands of specially prepared vessels , singing hymns in the praise of the gods pour consecrated water from a special scaffolding made to reach atop the mammoth statue..

For 10 hours Bahubali is bathed in milk, coconut water, sugarcane juice, turmeric, flower petals, sandalwood and Saffron paste,
Here The deity is showered with powders of Sandalwood and camphor.

The stone sculpture carved out of single piece of rock symbolises renunciation, self-control and subjugation of the ego as the first steps towards salvation.

Turmeric is poured …. As the vibrant colours cascade down the statue the thousands of Jain devotees gathered here sing hymns in praise of Bahubali.

The nude form of Lord Bahubali also referred to as Digambara , or one who represents complete victory over earthly desires. The ritual of the sacred bath occupies an important place in all indian religions be it Hindu, Buddhist or Jain.

As the day turns to evening buckets of rich Vermilion- a symbol for virility in our culture, is poured on bahubali.

Offerings of petals, gold and silver coins, as well as precious stones are made to Gomateshwara by his many devotees.
If you are one of those people who seek a Divine Relationship with God or nature, forgiveness, Healing, guidance and personal transformation, then a spiritual journey of the Mahamastakabhisheka will help you accomplish just that! If not, it is still a spectacle to enrich all of ones senses.

This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from South Asia. The Wilderness Films India collection comprises of 50, 000+ hours of high quality broadcast imagery, mostly shot on HDCAM / SR 1080i High Definition, Alexa, SR, XDCAM and 4K. Write to us for licensing this footage on a broadcast format, for use in your production! We are happy to be commissioned to film for you or else provide you with broadcast crewing and production solutions across South Asia. We pride ourselves in bringing the best of India and South Asia to the world...

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