INDIAN HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A monolithic statue of Bahubali referred to as “Gommateshvara” built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chamundaraya is a 60 feet (18 m) monolith and is situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka. It was built in the 10th century AD.

Detailed explanation-2: -Shravanabelagola is home to the 18 m high statue of Lord Gometeshwara; considered to be one of the world’s tallest free-standing monolithic statues. Constructed in 981 AD by Chamundaraya, a Ganga warrior, it is carved out of a single block of granite and looms on the top of Vindhyagiri Hill.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gommateshwara statue at Karkala was built in 1432 CE by Veera Pandya Bhairarasa Wodeyar of Santara dynasty on advice from Lalitakirti, the Bhattaraka of Karkala Jain Matha. The statue was inspired from the larger Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola built in 983 CE.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Gommateshwara statue is dedicated to the Jain figure Bahubali and symbolises the Jain precepts of peace, non-violence, sacrifice of worldly affairs, and simple living. It was built around 983 CE during the Western Ganga dynasty and is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world.

Detailed explanation-5: -The statue of Lord Bahubali was sculpted in 1973 under the guidance of Sri Ratnavarma Heggade by a renowned sculptor, Renjala Gopalkrishnan Shenoy. After the passing of Sri Ratnavarma Heggade, the complete statue was placed on top of the Ratnagiri Hill by Dr D Veerendra Heggade in February 1982.