Chandragiri is one of the two hills in
Shravanabelagola in the
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
n state of
Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
, the other one being
Vindhyagiri. It is also designated as Indragiri.
History
The recorded history surrounding the hill started in 300 BC when last ''Shruthakevali''
Bhadrabahu and
visited the place in order to attain ''kaivalya'' (beatitude). The small hill derives its name of Chandra because Chandragupta was the first of the rishis who lived and performed penance there.
Kalbappu was the early name of the hill and it dominates the history of the town of
Shravanabelagola between 3rd century BC and 12th century AD. The
Jain traditions link the
Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta and his teacher Bhadrabahu with this place. Of the total number of 106 memorials found at Shravanabelagola, 92 are located on the small hill. Of these, about 47 memorials of monks, 9 of nuns, and 5 of householders belong to the 7th and 8th century. This points out at the popularity of the custom, and of its extensive prevalence on the small hill.
Geography
The hill is situated about 3049 feet from mean sea level and 200 feet from the above the ground level and is situated in the northwest entrance of the town. A vast expanse of granite rock, scattered large and small boulders can be found en route to the peak.
Monuments
A number of
Jain basadi
A Jain temple, Derasar (Gujarati: દેરાસર) or Basadi (Kannada: ಬಸದಿ) is the place of worship for Jains, the followers of Jainism. Jain architecture is essentially restricted to temples and monasteries, and Jain buildings ge ...
s are found on the Hill. Some of the prominent ones are:
*
Chavundaraya Basadi
*
Chandragupta Basadi
*
Shantinatha Basadi
*
Parshvanatha Basadi
* Kattale Basadi
* Majjigana Basadi
* Shasana Basadi
* Chandraprabha Basadi
* Parshwanatha Basadi II
* Eradukatte Basadi
* Savatigandhavarana Basadi
* Terina Basadi
* Shantishwara Basadi
* Iruve-Brahmadeva Basadi
Apart from these a number of other monuments such as Bhadrabahu Cave, Marasimha's
Manastambha, Mahanavami Mantapa, Bhadrabahu Inscriptions, Gangaraja Mantap and Nishidhi Mantaps can be found on Chandragiri.
An idol of
Bharata, Bahubali's older brother, carved from soapstone can be found here. The statue is damaged below the thighs. It bears a striking resemblance to that of the Bahubali statue on the
Vindhyagiri Hills.
Gallery
File:Bharatha.jpg, Bharatha Statue on Chandragiri hill
File:Chandragiri hill temple complex at Shravanabelagola.jpg, Chandragiri hill temple complex
File:Stone curved kalasa.jpg, Image from one of the Basadis at Chandragiri
File:Theertankara.jpg, Idol of Parshvanatha on Chandragiri
File:View of Chandragupta Basadi at Chandragiri hill in Shravanabelagola.jpg, Chandragupta Basadi
File:Chavundaraya Basadi on Chandragiri hill at Shravanabelagola.jpg, Chavundaraya Basadi
File:Majjigana basti.jpg, Majjigana basti
File:South eastern view of Parsvanatha Basadi at Shravanabelgola.jpg, Parsvanatha Basadi
File:Suparshvanatha Basadi, Chandragiri.jpg, Suparshvanatha Basadi
File:Jain Inscription.jpg, Jain Inscription
File:Footprint of Chandragupta Maurya.jpg, The Footprints of on Chandragiri hill Hill, where Chandragupta (the unifier of India and founder of the Maurya
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia with its power base in Magadha. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya around c. 320 BCE, it existed in loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE. The primary sourc ...
Dynasty) performed Sallekhana.
Notes
References
*
External links
*
{{Jainism Topics
Jain temples in Karnataka
Hills of Karnataka
Geography of Hassan district
Indian inscriptions
Tourist attractions in Hassan district