Karnataka · India
Shravanabelagola
A sacred Jain pilgrimage town of two temple-topped hills — crowned by the 57-foot monolithic Gomateshwara (Bahubali) statue, one of the world's tallest free-standing statues.
Shravanabelagola is Jain heritage: the colossal Bahubali statue atop Vindhyagiri, the ancient basadis of Chandragiri, the grand Mahamastakabhisheka anointing every 12 years, and Karnataka veg food.
Plan your trip
Shravanabelagola Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Shravanabelagola Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Free
Bhandari Basadi
- Best timeMidday, when the town is quiet and the hill climbs are too hot; late afternoon for softer light on the front of the temple.
- ColorsCreamSaffronMaroon
Medium crowdEntry Free
Chandragiri Hill
- Best timeLate afternoon, when soft light falls on the stone basadis and Vindhyagiri is clear across the pond.
- ColorsCreamSaffronOchre
Low crowdEntry Free
Chandragupta Basadi
- Best timeLate afternoon, when side light brings out the detail in the carved screens and the hilltop is quiet.
- ColorsCreamOchreSaffron
High crowdEntry Free (footwear/help extra)
Gomateshwara Statue
- Best timeEarly morning, when the light is soft on the pale granite and the courtyard is still quiet.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteCream
High crowdEntry Free
Vindhyagiri Hill
- Best timeEarly morning, for soft light over the town and pond and cool steps; late afternoon for warm light before the hill closes.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteRust
For the feed
Trending Wear in Shravanabelagola
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Shravanabelagola Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Shravanabelagola
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Shravanabelagola
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Shravanabelagola
About Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is a small Jain pilgrimage town in Hassan district, Karnataka, about 144 km from Bengaluru. It sits between two rocky hills. On the taller one, Vindhyagiri, stands the 17-metre (57-foot) statue of Bahubali, also called Gomateshwara, carved from a single block of granite in the late 10th century. On the smaller hill, Chandragiri, a group of old basadis (Jain temples) and rock inscriptions mark where the monk Bhadrabahu and Emperor Chandragupta Maurya are said to have spent their last years. The name comes from the white pond (bili kola in Kannada) that lies between the two hills.
The town is easy to see in a day, but the pace is set by the climbs. Go up Vindhyagiri's rock-cut steps at opening time, barefoot, before the granite heats up, then rest and eat a simple Karnataka vegetarian meal in town. Visit Bhandari Basadi, the largest temple in the town, around midday, and climb the gentler Chandragiri in the late afternoon for the carved stone screens of Chandragupta Basadi and a view back across the pond to the statue.
Questions
Shravanabelagola — FAQ
What is Shravanabelagola famous for?
Shravanabelagola is famous for the Gomateshwara (Bahubali) statue, a 17-metre monolith on Vindhyagiri hill and one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India. It is also known for the ancient basadis and inscriptions on Chandragiri hill, and for the Mahamastakabhisheka, a huge anointing ceremony held about once every 12 years.
How many days are enough for Shravanabelagola?
One full day is enough for Vindhyagiri, Chandragiri and Bhandari Basadi. Stay overnight if you want to climb Vindhyagiri at opening time, or add a second day for the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu.
What is the best time to visit Shravanabelagola?
October to February is the most comfortable time, with cool mornings that make the barefoot climb easy. From April to May the rock gets very hot by late morning, and June to September brings on-and-off rain and slippery steps. See the best time to visit Shravanabelagola for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Shravanabelagola?
Most visitors come by road from Bengaluru, about 144 km away, in around 3 hours. Channarayapatna, about 12 km away, is the nearest bigger town with regular buses. Shravanabelagola has a small railway station on the Bengaluru–Hassan line, but Hassan, about 50 km away, has far more trains.
Do I have to climb barefoot at Shravanabelagola?
Yes. Shoes are not allowed on Vindhyagiri or Chandragiri, so you leave them at the footwear stand at the base and climb barefoot or in socks. Start early in the day, as the granite steps get hot by late morning, especially from March to May.