Shravanabelagola
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A short 135 km drive from Bangalore takes you to Shravanabelagola, a prominent Jain pilgrimage centre in Hassan district. The largest monolithic statue in Asia, that of Lord Gomateswara, towers 58 feet, looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri hill. Every 12 years Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in the colourful Mahamastakabhisheka of the Lord - the splendid head-anointing ceremony. Hundreds of pots containing curd, milk, honey, vermilion, coconut water, turmeric paste and even gold and precious jewels are poured over the statue's head from a specially erected scaffolding. Endowed with a rich cultural and historical Jain legacy, Karnataka has a cluster of Jain pilgrim centers. Karkala and Venur with huge Gomateswara statues, Moodabidri with the Thousands Pillars Basadi, Humcha with an ancient Jain Matta, Narasimharajapura and Belgaum with Jain Basadi are the main ones.
