The hill of Sravanabelagola, 120 kilometers west of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka, is a noted place of pilgrimage for the Jains. The large hill, also called Vindhyagiri or Per-kalbappu, is 3347 feet above sea level. A flight of 614 steps, finely chiseled into the granite of the mountain, leads to the summit, where stands an open court and the great statue of Sri Gomatheswar. Sravanabelagola means 'the monk on the top of the hill' and hermits, mystics and ascetics have resided here since at least the 3rd century BC. In those early times the hill was thickly wooded and hermits could feed themselves from the vegitation of the forest. Near the middle of the 10th century AD, temples began to be constructed upon the hill and from that time the place has become one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Jain religion. The 58 foot, 8 inch statue of Sri Gomatheswar, carved between 978-993 AD, out of the granite bedrock of the mountain is the tallest free-standing statue in the world. Sri Gomatheswar, also known as Bahubali, was the son of the legendary first Tirthankara, Adinatha (tirthankaras are the mythical, enlightened sages of Jainism). The chief festival of Sravanabelagola is called Maha Masthaka Abhisheka, or the 'Head Anointing Ceremony'. Prior to the festival an enormous wooden scaffolding is built around the statue of Sri Gomatheswar and more than one million pilgrims assemble around and upon the slopes of the sacred hill. During the climax of the festival, priests and devotees standing atop the scaffolding chant holy mantras and ritually pour thousands of gallons of milk, honey and precious herbs over the head of the statue. While flowing downwards over the body of the statue these sacred offerings are believed to acquire a powerful charge of spiritual energy from the great deity. Collected at the feet of the statue and distributed to the throngs of waiting pilgrims, the magical libations are considered to assist individuals in their quest for enlightenment. The festival is performed only once every twelve to fourteen years during periods of rare astrological significance. Recent festivals occurred in February 1981 and December 1993.

YOUR ITINERARY for Sravanabelagola
(Bangalore - Sravanabelagola - Hassan - Mysore - Ooty - Calicut - Cochin(15 Days/14 Nights) )

Day 1 Arrive Bangalore.

Day 2 Transfer to Hassan visiting Sravanabelagola on the way.

Day 3 Visit the temples at Belur and Halebid and then transfer to Mysore.

Day 4 Full day sightseeing and exploring Mysore.

Day 5 Visit Mysore market and then transfer to Bandipur National Park. Jeep safari.

Day 6 Jeep safari then transfer to Ooty.

Day 7 In Ooty. Ride on the ‘Toy Train’ or take a trek.

Day 8 Transfer to Calicut.

Day 9 At leisure.

Day 10 Transfer to Cochin. Attend Kathakali performance.

Day 11 Half-day guided city tour. Sunset harbour cruise.

Day 12 Transfer to beach resort.

Day 13 At leisure

Day 14 At leisure

Day 15 Fly home from Cochin Airport.

Tour Ends.