Chandragiri hill

Chandragiri hill
Chandragiri Temple Complex

Chandragiri (Kannada: ಚಂದ್ರಗಿರಿ) is one of the two hills in Shravanabelagola in the Indian state of Karnataka, the other one being Vindhyagiri.

7th century Old Kannada inscription on Chandragiri hill, Shravanabelagola

History

The recorded history surrounding the hill started in 300 BC when last Shruthakevali Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya visited the place in order to attain religious peace.^[1]The small hill derives its name of Chandra from the fact that Chandragupta was the first of the rishis who lived and performed penance there.

Kalbappu was the early name of the hill and it dominates the history of the town of Shravanabelagola between 3rd century BC and 12th century AD. The Jain traditions link the Maurya Empire Emperor Chandragupta and his teacher Bhadrabahu with this place. Of the total number of 106 memorials found at Shravanabelagola, 92 are located on the Small Hill. Of these, about 47 memorials of monks, 9 of nuns, and 5 of householders belong to the 7th and 8th century. This points out at the popularity of the custom, and of its extensive prevalence on the Small Hill.

Geography

The hill is situated about 3049 feet from mean sea level and 200 feet from the above the ground level and is situated in the NW entrance of the town. A vast expanse of granite rock, scatteed large and small boulders can be found en route to the peak.

Monuments

8th century Old Kannada inscription on Chandragiri hill, Shravanabelagola

A rare statue of Bharata, brother of Bahubali whose statue is seen behind on the Vindhyagiri hill

A number of Jain basadis are found on the Hill. Some of the prominent ones are:

• Shantinatha Basadi
• Parshvanatha Basadi
• Chandragupta Basadi
• Kattale Basadi
• Majjigana Basadi
• Shasana Basadi
• Chandraprabha Basadi
• Parshwanatha Basadi II
• Chavundaraya Basadi
• Eradukatte Basadi
• Savatigandhavarana Basadi
• Terina Basadi
• Shantishwara Basadi
• Iruve-Brahmadeva Basadi

Apart from these a number of other monuments such as Bhadrabahu Cave, Marasimha's Manastambha, Mahanavami Mantapa, Bhadrabahu Inscriptions, Gangaraja Mantap and Nishidhi Mantaps can be found on Chandragiri.

Chandragiri temple complex at dawn.

Notes

1. Rice 1889, p. 5.

References

• Rice, B. Lewis (1889). Inscriptions at Sravana Belgola: a chief seat of the Jains, (Archaeological Survey of Mysore). Bangalore : Mysore Govt. Central Press.