GOMATESHWARA STATUE
Gomateshwara
It is a
statue of Gomateshwara or Bahubali (a Jain Arihant), of 60 feet / 18 m located
at Shravanabelagola, in Karnataka. This monolithic statue of Gomateshwara was
built by the minister of Ganga dynasty and commander Chamundaraya in AD 981.
It is located
at a distance of 140 km from Bangalore. Thousands of tourists, devotees or
pilgrims from across the world and India visit the place during the event of
Maha-Mastak-Abhisheka (Anointing Ceremony).
This festival is observed by the Jain devotees once in
every 12 to 14 years. During the festival, the head of the statue is washed by
gallons of Water, Milk, Honey, Sandal, including eight different types of
sandal paste. The Jain devotees do this to acquire powerful spiritual energy.
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
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