On a relaxed evening, as I sat down sipping my kashmiri tea an upcoming event called ‘Mahamastakabhisheka’ being telecast on TV caught my attention. This was supposed to be happening this coming weekend at a place quite near to my resident city. This event had a gigantic statue being bathed with a variety of substances while innumerable people witnessed this grandeur which happens once in 12 years. And there it goes…144 kms from Bangalore, Shravanabelagola becomes my next destination.

The 58 feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshwara or Bahubali, the first of seven wonders of India is placed in the city of Shravanabelagola. Dating back to 981 AD, this was built by the commander Chavundaraya of Ganga dynasty and is one of the world’s largest monolithic statue. It is known to be the most important pilgrimage destinations of Jainism. On the highway Bangalore-Mangalore road, I started riding on a pleasant morning. A deviation from the highway near Hassan district led me to this town. As it drizzled on my way, at the scene of village fields, smelling the moist laden soil, the ride I experienced was one of the memorable ones in my life! Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri, the two hill complexes with a pond right beside me marks the place i reached. On the hill of Vindhyagiri are the steps carved out to reach the monument. Climbing seven hundred steps to watch this majesty definitely sneaks into one’s fitness level. Much before reaching the end of stairs, the statue is visible to the crowd.

Bahubali is one among the 100 sons of Rishabanatha who was the first thirthankara(spiritual teacher) of Jainism. As per history, Bharata, the elder brother of Bahubali raises a war against him to conquer his kingdom after winning over the other 98 brothers. Bahubali denies the war which leads to destruction and violence and challenges him 3 types of war between the two. Even after winning all of them against Bharata, Bahubali developed a desire of renunciation and peace. He gave up his worldly pleasures and meditated naked for around a year in the posture of ‘kayotsarga'(dismissing the body). While the wines grew wrapping around his legs and venomous snakes surrounded him, Bahubali remained undisturbed without food and water and attained salvation. He is known to be the first human to attain liberation. The monument encarved here of this great man standing on a lotus flower endorses his personality through a peaceful smile it holds. Mahamastakabhisheka is the grand festival of Jainism where this statue is anointed with milk, sugarcane juice, saffron paste, sandalwood and turmeric powders every 12 years once.I was happy that I visited this place at the right time to eye witness this royalty of priests climbing the long stairs to bathe this statue.

Opposite to this hill lies Chandragiri majestically with 14 temples dedicated to Jainism. Among others, there is an unfinished statue of Bahubali’s brother Bharata. This a home for many Jain saints from whom people were seeking blessings.One should not be shocked if he spots a naked saint here! There are a lot of inscriptions on this  hill written in ancientKannada language depicting the stories of ruling dynasties of this region. Few inscriptions are also seen in the bottom of Vidhyagiri hills in Devanagari script. Gommata in kannada means huge. Relating to Bahubali’s immense knowledge, higher level existence and also its size,the statue gets its name. Hovering over the thoughts of peace, non voilence and liberation from worldly pleasures, I climbed down the hill to satisfy my worldly comfort of hunger.

The impact Bahubali’s life has left us with even today,after decades is commendable. The answers to life’s ultimate questions are not found anywhere but in our history was emphasized to me that day.