Gommateshwara

Gommateshwara Bahubali
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. 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. The Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held once in 12 years, when the Gommateshwara statue is anointed with milk, saffron, ghee, etc. to maintain its freshness. 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.

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. In the introduction to his English translation of the Gommatsāra, J.L. Jaini writes:

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

Gommateshwara Statue (981 CE)

Bahubali monolith of Karkala (1432 CE)