Private Shravanabelagola tour as a day trip from Bangalore
Description
Discover the world's largest monolithic statue of Bahubali with your guide traveling from Bangalore to Shravanabelgola and back. Visit the 57 foot tall statue which is a depiction of Gomateswara the son of the first Jain Tirthankara Rishabha Deva. To reach the statue, there is a flight of 600 steps, and the climb takes roughly an hour, but the unforgettable views make the climb well worth the effort.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet up in Bangalore around 6:30am and head to Shravanabelagola located 90 miles (145 km) away. Guests can choose between riding a thrilling Royal Enfield Classic Motorcycle or you can travel in a private car. A guide will accompany you at all times during this tour. For those who have chosen the motorcycle option you will start with an orientation of the motorcycles as well as safety briefing. Next, you will head out on your journey to Bangalore with your guide. Take a break along the way for breakfast, and at approximately 10am you will arrive at the base of the world’s largest monolith statue. The statue was carved during the period of Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King Rajamalla between 982 and 983 CE. The statue is 58 feet tall and belongs to Gomateswara the son of the first Jain Tirtankara Vrishaba Deva. The Tirthankara were role models for those seeking liberation, they were also considered human spiritual guides. Climb 600 steps to reach the statue. Located near the statue are figurines of all the 24 Tirtankaras of Jainism also there are several inscriptions from the period 800-1800 AD. Chandragiri is a hill near the statue where the great Mauryan King Chandragupta Maurya had visited for peace. There are many memorials to be found there belonging to nuns, monks and common folk. Every 12 years, a spectacular ceremony is held at Shravanabelagola, and the statue is Gomateswara is anointed with turmeric, water, rice, sugarcane juice, sandalwood paste, gold and silver flowers. Lunch is in a traditional house where the host will serve you a fresh and hot “Jain” Thalis. These meals are made in the Jain tradition, and are purely vegetarian and do not contain onions or garlic. You will return back to your original meeting place in Bangalore at around 7pm.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
All hotels in bangalore
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please carry hat/cap as it can get hot
- Footwear needs to be removed before climbing the steps. Please carry an extra pair of socks. You can climb the steps wearing the socks if you find that more comfortable than climbing barefoot.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Reviews(10)
Very well organised, and good guide
With Balaji as driver and Rupesh as guide, day trip to Shravanbelgola made a great experience. The ride was comfortable. Everything was on-schedule and per plan. I highly recommend this tour.
This was a memorable tour from Bangalore. The journey was lovely through the countryside. The destination has the world's tallest monolith statue. We climbed 600 steps to a breathtaking view of the statue There is a temple around it. Our guide Roopesh was amazing He helped us understand the jain religion as the statue belonged to a monk of ghat order. The car and driver were excellent. I would very highly recommend this tour.
What a great trip! It's a long drive, so bring a book or something. It's a long walk to the top, but well worth it. If you go in the summer, bring socks because the steps are carved into the solid rock face, so get quite hot in the sun. If you have the energy, go see the temples on the other hill, across town.
Climbing up the 600 plus steps to view the amazing statue of Bahubali carved out of a single stone was a memorable experience for me and my family. The efficient driving by Thippesh to get us there and the informative guide services of Guru made this a great trip. The views from the top are breathtaking especially the lush green of the surrounding countryside.
Thanks so much for your kind review. I am delighted you enjoyed the tour with Tippesh and Guru. It was our pleasure hosting you.
Knowledgeable, English-speaking guide, safe and clean car with working air conditioning and safe driver. The venue itself is quite impressive. Avoid going in the summer if possible as the heat can be quite uncomfortable and the climb has to be made without shoes.
Thanks so much for this feedback. I am glad you enjoyed this tour to the world's largest monolith statue at Shravanabelagola.
From the top of the granite hill you will look out over rolling plains covered with cocoanut groves. The temple complex at the main site, on the higher hill, has a memorable collection of smaller statues of Jain luminaries, arranged in small rooms under the portico that runs around the courtyard. The main statue of Bahubali exceeds all expectations, not just in size, but in workmanship and impact. The early departure from Bangalore was very important, as we arrived by ten thirty and climbed the hill while there was still a morning breeze. Satish capably explained the site and its massive festival, held every twelve years, but he also gave us very helpful and candid introductions to much that we saw from the car as we drove out an back. We asked for an additional walk up onto the second, lower hill, Chandragiri, and it turned out to be among the best experiences we had in India. Satish said that we were the first visitors to ask to visit Chandragiri, about which he was also knowledgeable and enthusiastic. By the time we left the the sun had heated the granite, a challenge to our bare feet, but more than worth it. Between the hills Satish bought us some delicious chai masala from a small local shop facing the sacred tank. The chai maker grated fresh ginger into the brew. Wonderful. Also wonderful was the road between the main highway and the temple town, as we passed through a series of villages where people (women, mostly) were doing their washing on the rocky shore of ponds, threshing and winnowing grain, and sitting on their verandahs in the midday sun. We stopped for a good lunch at a modern roadside restaurant on the big highway back to Bangalore. The food and conversation were both good, and the day was entirely pleasant and memorable.
You will enjoy both the statue, the temple, and the views. Just make sure you can go up the stairs! Satish added explanations, and even links to local films, that made me understand the culture around it. I took 5 tours during my stay in Bangalore, 3 of them with Five Senses Tours. Had I known them before, I would have taken all 5 tours with them. And I definitely will contact them directly next time I visit India.
Hello again! I am happy you enjoyed the tour with Satish to Shravanabelagola the world's largest monolith statue. It was our pleasure.
We had a very good time during our visit. We learned a lot about the Hindu culture and the place itself.
Thanks for your kind words. Am glad you found this tour worth it and learnt about a new culture!
The tour to Sharavanbelagola is a pleasant day trip from bangalore to the countryside. The route is through scenic villages and farms. tbe Statue is gigantic and sits on top of a mountain. There are a set of 600 steps to climb to reach the statue. On top there are statues for all the 24 monks of jainism. The view from the hill top is worth this trip. Our guide Satish was a very friendly guy who tool pains to ensure we understood the tenets of Jainism and also arranged local food which was very delicious. I would strongly recommend this tour.
