Time: 7:00 a.m.
Trip cost: Rs 230 per head
I had been thinking of going to Shravanabelagola since a long time but could never found an accomplice. My friend Sumit has already been to this place twice but he still agreed to join me.
Journey:
There are direct buses to Shravanabelagola from Bangalore. So we reached Majestic Bus stand by 7:30 a.m. but realised that we have missed the direct KSRTC bus to Shravanabelagola at 7:15 a.m. So we took the KSRTC bus till Channarayapatna. There are plenty of buses in transit from there till Shravanabelagola.
It was a chilly Bangalore morning. The bus seating was quite comfortable.
The roads are clean with greenery all around. I have never seen such a huge spread of coconut trees and rice plantation together - its was a mesmerizing view. You would just wish to halt there for a while, run into the fields , sing a song or two and then continue on your journey again :)
Our first halt was at Kunigal. I guess all the KSRTC buses stop on this midway. The tea was not very great but the chikki improved our taste buds
We reached Channarayapatna by 11 a.m. and managed to reach Shravanabelagola by 12 p.m.
It is in Hassan district, Karnataka and around 140 kms from Bangalore. It is known for its Jain Pilgrimage Centre, where the 60 ft tall monolith statue of Lord Gomteshwara (Bahubali) stands atop 3347 ft Vindhyagiri (Indragiri) hill. Every 12th year, a mahamastabhishek is held in which the whole statue of Lord Bahubali is anointed with milk, ghee, saffron, gold coins etc. The town is situated between the two lofty hills Vindhyagiri Hills and Chandragiri Hills
Tourism:
We decided to tread Vindhyagiri first. The mountain is really steep and there are enough steps to tire you out by the time you reach to the top. But its worth it because what you would see from the top is simply awesome. For people in slightly decrepit condition, there are railings by the side to take support and climb up. It is essential for the readers to know that the governors of pilgrimage insist that you tread bare foot.
If you are tired then you have an option to lie down on the rocky mountain on the sides and inhale the fresh air, they way we did.
You will forget about your aching toes once you have a view from the top. Trust me!!!!!
Carved structures of 24 Jain Tirthankars are engraved on the stones inside. The monolith statue is an astounding sight which can be best described in pictures (I don't want to bore the readers with more facts, anyone can just Google it up!!!! )
On the back side of the main premises, there is a door which opens out to a cliff. The fresh air would refurbish your soul.
We were hungry and warmer now. Our sweaters came off. We walked a bit to the Bhojanshaala close to another temple nearby where food is served for free. You can donate any amount with your will after you are done eating.
Next was to tread Chandragiri Hills. This hill has the statue of Lord Bahubali's bro Bharata.
You can also see Vindhyagiri Hills from the top
Its comparatively low incline but there are lot of stone engravings of Tirthankars dating from 6th to 19th century.
What I loved the most were the splurge of placid, unruffled whiff blowing constantly on your face. An ideal place where you can sit, relax and talk for hours.
We finally got down and headed towards the bus stand to catch the bus to Bangalore. We arrived in Bangalore by 6 p.m.
Must Do's: Inhale and exhale in long breaths at the mountain top
I do not have anything useless advice to share for this place. You won't be able to resist clicking pictures once you are there.
Been there, done that!!!!!!
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