Chavundaraya arranged the celebration of Mahamastaka Abisheka to the idol of Bahubali. But the milk did not reach the thigh of the icon, whatever be the quantity of milk poured. Disappointed, Chanvundaraya asked his guru for the reason. The guru asked him to pour milk brought by an old woman in a hollowed round brinjal. Gullakayi is a round variety of brinjal.
When the guru’s command was obeyed, the milk poured on the head of the idol drenched the whole body and flowed over. The word Gullakayi Ajji was coined. The milk that overflowed, filled the tanks and their water became white. So the place acquired the name Bel + Kola (white tank). As Jain saints (Shravanas) lived there it is called Shavana Belagola.
Gommateswara statue at Shravanabelagola
Shravana Belagola reminds us of the great monolith statue of Bahubali (Gomateswara). Bahubali is the symbol of sacrifice and detachment. They are the noblest Indian values.
The word `Gomamata’ means the beautiful’. Don’t pride when we remember that Gommateswara statue at Shravanabelagola is the tallest monolith statue in the world. Not only that, it is one thousand old. The highest of the statue standing majestically atop the hill (Dodda Betta) is 17.4 meters (58 feet). The credit for getting this statue sculpted and erected goes to Chavundaraya, a minister of the king Rachamalla – IV of the Ganges. There is an interesting story about erecting of Gommata statue.
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