| Gomateshwara
was a Jain prince, Bahubala who had to fight a fiery battle with his brother
to defend his kingdom. But he was dejected and upset at the tremendous
loss due to war, gave up his kingdom and retired to meditate in peace and
attained nirvana.
The giant statue
of Gomateshwara was erected in 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister
of the Ganga King, Rachamatta, by the sculptor Arstameni. The spectacular
ceremonial worship of the Lord takes place once every 12 years - Mahamastabhishekam,
when the statue is bathed with pots of milk, honey, curd, rice, coconut
milk, ghee, sugar, almonds, saffron, coins, turmeric powder, vermillon,
dates, bananas, by priests who climg a special structure raised for this
purpose near the statue.
The last ceremony
- 1993
and the next
- 2005.
There are some
Jain temples (Bastis) and Jain mutts in the smaller Chandragiri hill.
The most important among them is the Chandragupta Basti built by Emperor
Ashoka (grandson of Chandragupta). There are eight beautifully carved
idols, with semi-precious stones here. |
