Shravana Belugola

Climate/Weather

The months of January and February are slightly cold while summers begin from March and continues till May. Post monsoon begins from October and remains till December. The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter (between October to February) where the travelers can enjoy the most of Karnataka.

Interesting things to Visit

Mahamastakabhisheka, the great head anointing ceremony of Bhagawan Bahubali have been performed once in every 12 years. The huge statue of Lord Gommateshwara is getting pooja by pouring thousands of pots of milk, ghee, sandal, saffron, flowers etc., from devotees attended from all over the world. The last Mahamasthakabhisheka was held here in February 2006. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018 A.D.

Chandragiri: Chandragiri, a small hill is located just opposite to the Vindhyagiri. Chandragiri has memorials to numerous monks and shravakas who have meditated there. Chndragiri also has famous jain temples and the tomb of Chandragupta Maurya, famous patron of Jainism can be seen.
Shravanabelagola is the seat of the ancient Bhattaraka Math, belonging to the Desiya Gana lineage of Mula Sangha of Digambar monstic tradition. The Bhattarakas are all named Charukeerthi.

Location info

**Address:**Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore.

• **District:**Hassan

• **Nearest City:**Channarayapattana

Best time to visit: The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter (between October to February) where the travelers can enjoy the most of Karnataka

History of Shravana Belugola

Shravanabelagola Shravanabelagola in Hassan District is 157 km away from Bangalore is an important Jaina centre. There is a pond and two stony hills, called Chandragiri and Indragiri. Chandragiri has the Chandragupta basadi of the Gangas and the Parashwanatha basadi here is the biggest. The town below the hill has the Jaina matha whose walls have very old paintings. Indragiri has the Gommata monolith, 58’ tall, installed by a Ganga general and scholar Chavundaraya, and also Siddhara basadi, Odegal basadi, Chennanna basadi and Chauvvisa Tirthankara basadi, and also the finely engraved pillar called Tyagada Brahma Pillar. The floral designs on it are excellent. To the north of town is Jinanathapura which has the Aregal basadi and the Shantinatha basadi of Hoysala times. Shravanabelagola has over 500 inscriptions, and some of them are recording death by starving (`sallekhana’) by Jaina ascetics and laymen.

Things to do at Shravana Belugola

Statue of Gomteshwara – World’s Tallest Monolith Statue
Cave of Bhadrabahu where the Sacred feet of Sritakavalli is worshipped.
Manasthambha Basadi ­ Has a beautiful pillar constructed in 17th century.

How to reach Shravana Belugola

**Nearest Railway Station:**Rail – the nearest railhead is at Hassan (50 kms). Regular trains connect Shravanabelagola to Hassan and further to the rest of the state.

**Nearest Airport:**Air – Nearest Airports are at Bangalore (157 kms) and Mangalore (230 kms). Regular flights of Jet and Indian Airways connect these cities with the rest of the country.

**Road Transport:**Road – Well linked roads connect Shravanabelagola to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan. Buses from Hassan are frequent.
Shravanabelagola is well connected by roads from major towns and cities of Karnataka. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular bus service to Shravanabelagola.
One should divert from Hirisaave to Shravanabelagola, and cover 18 kms to reach Shravanabelagola on Bangalore - Mangalore National Highway

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Private Hotels and PWD Guest Houses.
Hotels are available at Channarayapattana. It is suggested to stay at Hassan.

Nearest visiting places

• Ramanathapura Temples

The temples of Ramanathapura stand testimony to the architectural grandeur of the Chola and Hoysala ages, writes B M Ravi Bettasoge.Hassan brings to one’s mind art, culture and history. It has made a name for itself as a tourist destination, a haven of art and as a strong inter-link between the past and the future

• Belur Archeology

Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri.Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple

• Halebid Archeology

The present day Halebid was earlier known as Dorasamudra. This was the capital of the Hoyasala kingdom, which became prominent in the Mysore area in the 12th-13th century after the Ganga dynasty. The fort and pa;ace no longer exist. Now it is a small village with a group of temples

• Shravanabelagola Archeology

Jainism was born in Bihar in East India. When there was a great famine it is said that saint Bahubali along with his followers, came to Karnataka. The ruler of the Murya empire of the time Chandragupta, who considered Bahubali a sint , followed him and also undertook a fast unto death to propagate non-voilance

• Belur Historical

Belur in Hassan district (222 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola

• Doddagadduvalli

About 16km (10 miles) from Hassan on the way to Belur is Doddagaddavalli, a village popular for the 12th century Lakshmi Devi temple.Doddagaddavalli is set in a scenic rural environment. According to the legends the temple was built in 1114 A.D. by a merchant called Kallahana Rahuta, a merchant or high officer in the Hoysala court

• Halebid Historical

Halebidu is located in Hassan district in Karnataka.Ketumalla, the chief of staff of Hoysala Kingdom, built this temple during 1121 A.D and attributed to his king, Vishnuvardhana and queen, Shantala Devi. Even then it is learnt that it took 105 years to complete

• Harnavalli Archeology

In the 13th century when the Hoysala kingdom was at the peak of it’s power, a temple was constructed in every area, its detailed sculptures and decorations

• Shrvanabelogola Historical

Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore

• Koravangala Archeology

Koravangala is a store house of Hoysala architecture. This scenic village, earlier called Kora Mangala, is home to three Hoysala style temples of the 12th century. All the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva

• Hemavati River

The Hemavati River is a very important tributary of the Kaveri River. It starts in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1,219 metres[1] near Ballala rayana durga in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka, in southern India, and flows through Chikkamagalooru, Hassan District and Mysore district before joining the Kaveri near Krishnarajasagara

• Bisle Ghat Hills

• Mosale Archeology

Tips & suggestions

Mahamastakabhisheka Festival ­ Held once in 12 years. Next will be in 2018.

Helpline & emergency contacts

• Police Station:

• Nearest Hospital:

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Karnataka’s cities offer diverse cuisine. Bangalore has a legendary food scene from iconic darshinis (stand-up eateries) to craft breweries. Mysore is known for Mysore pak and traditional meals. Temple towns (Udupi, Dharmasthala, Murudeshwar) offer excellent vegetarian fare.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Karnataka has a rich collection of churches primarily in Mangalore (Mangalorean Catholic), Bangalore (colonial-era), and Mysore. St. Philomena’s Cathedral in Mysore (neo-Gothic, one of Asia’s largest) and the Rosario Cathedral in Mangalore are the most photogenic. The interiors of Mangalorean churches with their detailed altars are worth shooting.

Best time to visit Shravana Belugola

October to March offers pleasant weather for temple visits. Major festivals at the temple draw large crowds — visit during non-festival periods for a quieter experience. Early morning (6-8 AM) is ideal for peaceful darshan.

Timings & opening hours

Typically 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily. Pooja timings vary by temple. Special ceremonies during festivals may extend hours. Some temples have specific darshan timings.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry is generally free. Special pooja, abhisheka, or VIP darshan tickets may have charges (typically INR 10-200). Camera/phone fees may apply at some major temples.

Duration needed

30 minutes to 1 hour for a standard visit. 1-2 hours if attending special poojas or exploring the temple architecture. Half a day during major festivals.

Safety tips

Temples in Karnataka are generally safe. Remove footwear before entering (shoe-keeping counters available). Secure your belongings. Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas during festivals. Follow temple-specific dress codes.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry a scarf or shawl for covering shoulders. Small change for offerings and donations. Avoid leather items inside temples.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station serves the district. Nearest airport: typically Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore or Mangalore International Airport. KSRTC buses connect major towns near the temple.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What are the temple timings? A: Typically 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 4:00-8:00 PM. Check locally for specific pooja schedules. Q: Is photography allowed? A: Exterior photography is usually allowed. Interior/sanctum photography may be restricted — check signage. Q: What is the dress code? A: Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected. Traditional Indian attire is preferred.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Pilgrims Destination

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Shravana Belugola

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Shravana Belugola on popular travel photography sites and social media.