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Sravana Belegola

This is renowned as the Jaina Kaasi of Haasan District. The history of this dates back to the times before the advent of the Mouryas. A Story is extant to the effect that the Mourya Emperor Candragupta had come here, in his last days, along with his preceptor. The inscriptions found here speak from the times of the Kadambaas. The Sramanas sacred pond, Pushkarinee, existing here has brought the new name Sravanabelagula. "Nevertheless its original

name was Katavapra (meaning the hill of cemeteries) the Nishasdhis (cemeteries) of the ancient Jaina Recluses are in the place called Candragiri which is a part of this region.

During the time of Kaacamalla, a Ganga King Caavundaraya has erected a 58 ft monolithic statue of Baadhubali on the Indragiri Hill here, and this happens to be the tallest monolithic statue in the whole world. Known by the popular name Gomateswara this surprising smiling calm and composed figure is the center of universal attraction. Not only in its extraordinary height is this idol world famous, but also in its magnificence, peaceful outlook, and the spiritually serene smile on its youthful countenance.
There is a ring of Jinalayas going round the Baahubali Statue. These Jinalayas enshrine the 24 Teerthankaras and the other Jaina deities.

The Marathi inscription near the feet of Baahubali has been proclaimed as the first ever written document in the Marathi language. In kannada, of course, starting from the old age Kannada and reaching up to the times of the modern Mysore monarchs called Vodaiyers, numerable incriptions are available here. All these have been complementary to the study of the "Scriptology" (the science of the script), the poeticity, the developments through the ages, and the other associated aspects of the kannada language as a whole. In the inscriptions of Sravanabelagola the signature of the old famous Kannada Poet, Ranna ,is also found!.

There are many a Jaina Basadis on the two hills viz. Indragiri and Candragiri. There is the Akkana Basadi of the Hoysala times. Inside the town, there are many shrines and mutts. In between the two hills stretches a broad Pushkarinee.

The Head Bathing Festival of Baahubali called the Mastakaabhishaeka, conducted periodically once in twelve years is also world-famous.

At the Northern foot of Candragiri there is the Jinanaatha Pura and inside this place stands the Saantinaatha Basadi. This Basadi is embellished with such abundant wall sculptural work that it has been considered as the greatest speciality in the entire science of Jain Architecture. There are a few other Basadis too in this village. In Halaebelagola near this place, one can find the remains of the Jaina Dharma even to day.

Adjacent to Hassan : Belavadi | Marle | Govindanahalli | Hosaholalu

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