Shri Bhagwan Bahubali Monolithic Statue — Attraction in Karnataka

Lord Bahubali

Amidst the piety and frolic of the temple town of Dharmasthala, situated at a kilometer from the Manjunatha temple and led by a beautiful pathway, is the majestic shrine of lord Bahubali standing at a height of 39-feet. It was sculpted in 1973 by the famed sculptor Renjala Gopalkrishna Shenoy under the aegis of Shri Ratnavarma Heggade. The statue was then positioned atop the Ratnagiri Hill in February 1982 by Dr.D.Veerendra Heggade, after Shri Ratnavarma Heggade left to the heavenly abode.

This shrine can be reached by climbing steps of the hill for about 20 minutes or by road. The hilltop renders a heart-throbbing view of the temple town Dharmasthala with a lush green background in the mornings and lamp-lit in the nights.The best time for the tourists to visit this statue is in the morning to get away from humidity and sunny weather. On top of the hill, there are shelters and drinking water facilities for the pilgrims. The mahamastakabhisheka of lord Bahubali has since been performed thrice in 1982, 1995 and 2007, with a grand spectacle that brought together many jain monks and people from all over the country and beyond.

The monolithic stone sculpture of Lord Bahubali symbolizes renunciation, self control and subjugation of the ego as the first step towards salvation. The digambara form of Bahubali represents complete victory over earthly desires and needs, which forms the edifice for spiritual ascent towards divinity.

It was  nothing less than the annual festival in every village that lasted for several months. Everybody in Dakshina Kannada district and even outside, 40 years ago wanted to be a part of the great event- the carving of the massive Bahubali statue, its transportation and the first Maha Mastakabhisheka!

Eight year old Abdul Khader would read every detail in the newspapers, listen to  stories about the  statue from his friends and family members and wondered how it was possible. Everybody, right from young to old would talk about the carving of the Lord Bahubali idol, its transportation to Dharmasthala, installation and the grand anointment or the ‘Maha Mastakabhisheka.’

Carved at Karkala, the gigantic monolithic statue, 39 ft. high, with a pedestal of 13 feet weighing about 170 tonnes, had to cover 64 kms and reach the destination at Dharmasthala. It was nothing but a challenge. Probably no other Bahubali statue might have travelled so long from the place of carving to the place of installation. Every single person in the village enroute was enthusiastic about the event  and participated in the transport of the monolith. Four decades down the line, much water has flown in the River Netravathi and the same Abdul Khader, who used to eagerly watch the idol of Bahubali,  is today supervising all the government work at Dharmasthala town which is gearing up for the fourth Maha...

STORY OF BHAGWAN BAHUBALI

Vrishabhanatha was the noble king of Ayodhya. Once seeing dance by Neelanjana, he realized the transience of the world. Therefore, he renounced the world, divided his kingdom among his sons, and went to perform penance.

The elder brother Bharatha was the king in Ayodhya and younger brother Bahubali who was the Crown Prince was ruling Poudanapura. Once, a divine weapon (Chakra) sprang up at the arsenal of King Bharatha. With that weapon he conquered all the six continents and came back to his city. But alas! The weapon would not enter the capital city. On enquiry, Bharatha found out that his conquest was incomplete unless he had conquered his brother too. Immediately he dispatched messengers asking his brothers to surrender. Those who did not like to surrender went away to perform penance. But self respecting Bahubali challenged his elder brother. A fierce war was about to take place. But ministers of two princes prevailed upon them to avoid a war that would cause loss of life and property and arrange a series of single combats between two princes.

The valiant Bahubali defeated his brother in all the combats. Mad with fury Bharatha used divine weapon (Chakra) against Bahubali. But the weapon, which could not violate Dharma, bowed down before Bahubali. Even at this moment triumph Bahubali was ashamed of his brother's lust for power and decided to renounce the world. He returned the kingdom to his elder brother and went to perform penance. He meditated for years. Wild creepers wound round his body and an ills enveloped him. Still he failed to get the supreme knowledge KEVALAJNANA because he had the ill feeling of his mind that he was standing on his brother's land. Vrishabhanatha informed this matter to Bharatha where-upon Bharatha straight away made for his brother, fell at his feet and told him that the land was his (Bahubali's) and therefore he should not think that he was standing on land of somebody else. He asked him to concentrate on his soul and meditate. Soon Bahubali attained supreme knowledge. Heavenly trumpets sounded and flowers were showered on him. Having conquered the bondage of Karma, Bahubali became the first to attain the salvation of Moksha in Kritayuga. His renunciation at this victorious moment is unique and that is why

Bahubali...

The religious town of Dharmasthala is home to many revered Hindu temples as well as Jain basadis (basadis are Jain temples), ever since the town came under rulers who embraced both religions, centuries ago. It is believed that Bahubali (son of Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara or spiritual teacher in Jainism) was a wealthy prince, who renounced his power, luxury, and kingdom to meditate and attain eternal knowledge and moksha (freedom from rebirth). With stern determination, he gave up his lavish lifestyle and penanced in a standing yogic pose until he reached his goal, while anthills grew around him and creepers swirled around his legs. Bahubali also referred to as Gommateshwara later became a revered monk in Jainism. The super-imposing structure of Bahubali here, which is eye-catching, is a 39-foot statue perched on a 14-foot-high platform. It was carved by the renowned sculptor Renjala Gopalkrishna Shenoi in the year 1973. If you are an art enthusiast, check out the beautiful carvings of elephants showering flowers and plants creeping around his legs. The huge, monolithic manasthamba (main pillar) with a deity on top, in front of the statue and the well-maintained gardens, are the other attractions here. This mammoth and monolithic statue of Bhagwan Bahubali in Dharmasthala is said to be the 3rd tallest idol of Bahubali in Karnataka. You can find the other two prominent ones in Sravanabelagola and in Karkala. Vehicles can go up the hill to the shrine, but if you are up for a hike, then climb the 400 odd steps that lead up the hillock to the statue. Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Manjunatha (another name for Shiva), the Chandranatha Swamy Temple, a beautiful Jain basadi and the classic vintage car collection at Manjusha Car Museum, are must-visits around. MORE...