Karkala Gommateshwara

Udupi district, Karnataka

English

Gommateshwara statue, Karkala is located at Karkala in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the second tallest statue of Bahubali in the world with the largest statue located at Shravanabelagola.

Gommateshwara statue at Karkala was built in 1432 CE by Veera Pandya Bhairarasa Wodeyar of the Santara dynasty on advice from Lalitakirti, the Bhattaraka of Karkala Jain Matha The statue was inspired by the larger Gommateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola built in 983 CE. Karkala Gommatesvara Charitre, composed by Chadura Chandrama in 1686 CE, is a poem describing the mahamastakabhisheka at Karkala.

The idol of Lord Bahubali carved out of a single rock of granite, is 42 feet (13 m) tall,10.33 feet (3.15 m) wide, and is said to be the second tallest statue of Bahubali in the world. The idol is placed on a 5 feet (1.5 m) pedestal and enclosed by cloistered prakaram. In the entrance room, a few sculptures of Tirthankaras are displayed. In front of the temple is a manastambha with image of Yaksha within a niche. The statue is depicted in kayotsarga posture with curly hair ringlets, large ears and palms stretching up to knees.^[5] The idol weighs over 80 tonnes. It is located 300 feet (91 m) above sea level.

Neighbouring areas have 18 Jain Basadis including Chaturmukha Basadi, Karkala, and Kere Basadi, Anekere. Moodabidri is another important Jain centre near Karkala.

Mahamastakabhisheka is organised every 12 years. As the Mahamastakabhisheka begins, consecrated water is sprinkled onto the participants by devotees carrying 1,008 specially prepared vessels (Kalashas). The statue is then bathed and anointed with libations such as milk, sugarcane juice, and saffron paste, and sprinkled with powders of sandalwood, turmeric, and vermilion.

The Mahamasthakabhisheka (ceremonial anointment) of the statue is done once every 12 years, a Jain religious rite that dates back to ancient times. The ceremonial anointing will be done customarily from the top of a specially constructed scaffolding, when water from 1008 kalashas (pots) will be poured over the Gommata, as a purification rite. The abhisheka (ceremonial bathing) then begins to the heralding of bugles and the beat of drums. Milk from kalashas and large containers is poured on Gommateshwara, followed by clouds of white rice powder. Next, the statue is anointed with coconut water and sugarcane juice. Liquid turmeric and red sandalwood paste then cover the Gommata in hues of amber and mahogany. Next comes the libation of ashtagandha - a combination of eight scented substances - followed lastly by a shower of flower petals. The splendid ceremony ends with the washing of the Gommata with the clear waters of the poorna kumbhas and the arthi of lit lamps. This unique event draws thousands of pilgrims from all over the country as well as across the world, who are enriched by the cultural experience.

Jainism was introduced in Karnataka by Lord Mahaveera in the 6th Century B.C during the course of his travels, when he converted Jivandhara, the king of the Hemangada Country into Jainism. Foretelling a major famine, Monk Bhadrabahu, a leading figure of the Jain religion in the kingdom of Magadha in the 3rd century B.C, led a major migration to Karnataka with Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya and attained samadhi in the area now known as Shravanabelagola. By the 10th Century, Jainism had become a powerful force in the coastal regions of Karnataka and centres were established all along. With the ascendance of Hinduism, the influence of Jainism waned in the country, though Karnataka still has active Jain pilgrimage centres.

Deities & Specialities

Gommata

Documentary Videos

Karkala Bahubali Mahamastakabisheka 2015 By Dr M.N.Rajendra Kumarr

Purohith

Yuvaraj

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Mutt: Karkala

Other Reference Links
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