Garima Chaudhry
Bahubali was the son of the first Tirthankara – Rishabhnathji as per the Jain tradition and is generally regarded as the first to attain siddhapada – freedom from the cycle of births and deaths.
Consecrated in the 980s C.E. and carved in hard granite; the statue of Bahubali at the scenic hill of Vindhyagiri, towers over the town of Sharavanbelagola. The 58 feet+ tall monolith was conceived, commissioned and executed by the Ganga general, Chamudaraya, to fulfil his mother’s wish.
One of the wonders of India, the calm and gentle yet majestic Gommatesvara is a stark reminder of the rich cultural practice of abandoning the mortal body – kayotsarga in favour of attaining kevala jnana – absolute knowledge.
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