Karnataka’s tourism tagline – One State, Many Worlds – holds true in many ways. The State is bestowed with various natural landscapes – from pristine beaches to dense forested mountains to plain land and its history, culture & architecture is therefore very different & rich in their own genre.
Like the two gems of destinations Shravanabelagola & Gol Gumbaz, mentioned in the 10 destinations shortlisted by Rajya Sabha MP Smt Sudha Murthy in her maiden speech in the Parliament yesterday.
Why Are These Two Heritage Sites Important for Karnataka?
These heritage sites offer a window into the diverse cultural and religious influences that have significantly shaped Karnataka’s history over centuries.
View of Chandragiri(PC:Author)
Sravanabelagola and the Jain connection in Karnataka
Gommataeshwara Statue (PC: Author)
The State’s connection with Jainism predates the Common era. It goes back to 3rd century BC when Bhadrabahu along with his illustrious disciples (Chandragupta, being one of them) came south and settled in Chandragiri hill (hill facing the more famous Gommata hill shrine) and spent his last days there. Across the state, we find many statues of Tirthankaras (Jain saints) whether in an open field or well-kept temples. There are stories of Jain kings, queens, ministers & wealthy residents’ donations to build temples, charity houses, and other structures.
Throughout the long history, the holy hill shrines – Chandragiri & Vindhyagiri – have survived and revered by Jains who come to see the colossal Gommata statues (57-foot granite monolith statue, built in 983 CE) especially during the festival of Mahamastabhisheka, which happens once in 12 years, a very important time for a Jain devotee – just like the Kumbh Mela for Hindus.
Gol Gumbaz- The pride of Deccan architecture – Pre Mughal era
The Gol Gumbaz with a smaller Gumbaz behind it(PC: Wikipedia, SahanaKulur7889 CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fast forward by six & a half centuries, Islam had flourished, especially during the Shahi Kingdoms of North Karnataka. The Bijapur’s Adil Shahi dynasty should perhaps be credited with the task of creating the biggest single chamber structure in the world! It rivals the Mughals’ structures, in its engineering & splendour. The huge central dome is supported by interlocking pendentives (the arched support) that we see in many churches & mosques. However, the mosque is famous for its ‘whispering gallery’ – a gallery at the base of the dome where even the faintest whisper can be heard across the dome! Yet, with such scientific modern structure, we fail to know the name of its architect even today!
Whether it is the huge granite sculpture of Bahubali on the hill-top or the biggest lime & mortar dome sitting on a square base housing a tomb of a king, the state is home to varied architectural wonders and we should visit them and learn through them stories of a society of that era & region. It is time we visit more of these Many Worlds in this One State.
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