________________
186
JAIN JOURNAL
terrane immediately behind the statue he had cut down a large part of the supporting rock to a vertical scarp that forms the inner flank of his storeyed mandapa, which, in turn, appears to be lending support to the colossus in situ.
Guide to India/Travel Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd/Bombay/1962/p.34.
Sravanabelgola, 62 miles from Mysore is well-known for its unique monolithic colossus, Gomatesvara. The pilgrim centre consists of two little hills, Vindhayagiri and Candragiri with a little village and a valley between them. The colossus and the shrine built around it are on the bigger hill, the Vindhyagiri.
The colossus of Gomatesvara was carved and set up in 1982 A.D. by unknown hands under the command of Camunda Raya. Carved in light grey granite, this colossus is perfectly proportioned except for the legs which appear slightly dwarfed. Standing nude, as a Digambara saint, Gomatesvara although gigantic, is not lacking in beauty. Although ten centuries old, the statue is as fresh and well polished as when the devout Jain sculptor gave it shape. The colossus is 57 feet tall, taller than any statue of its kind in the world. It measures 26 feet in breadth across the shoulders and 10 feet across the waist ; the middle finger is as much as 5 feet long while a toe is 3 feet.
Once in ten years, on the occasion of a rare conjunction of the stars, there is a grand festival when the head of the colossus is anointed, and the statue is given a ceremonial bath.
India/Bangalore, Mysore, Belur, Halebid/Deptt. of Tourism, Govt. of India, New Delhi/1961.
35 miles (56 kms) by road from Belur at Sravanabelgola stands the colossus of the Jain Saint-Gomatesvara—which dominates the countryside for miles (kilometers) around. Once in twelve years, thousands of Jain pilgrims gather here from all over the country for the ‘Mahamaştakābhiseka' festival, when to the chanting of mantras (hymns), the priest bathes this 57-foot (17 metre) high monolithic statue with various substances like milk, 'curds, honey, fruits, gold and silver coins, etc. poured over its head from a gigantic scaffolding specially erected for the purpose.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
