Hassan: Popular Jain pilgrim centre, Shravanabelogola which is gearing up for the Mahamastakabhisheka in February 2018, will have the rock cut steps to Vindhyagiri Hills widened by about two feet, on either side to make climbing to the top of the hills easy. The world’s largest monolithic statue of Bahubali, measuring about 57 feet, is situated on the top of the hill.
A proposal in this regard has been submitted to Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi by ASI officials of Bengaluru division after making a spot inspection in March this year. The ASI officials led by Superintending Archaeologist, Bengaluru division, Dr Arun Raj along with Jain pontiff of Shravanabelagola Math Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji felt the steps have to be widened since the existing steps are too small to handle the large influx of visitors to the place especially during Dasara festivities, holidays and also during Mahamastakabhisheka which draws pilgrims from various corners of the world. The mega religious event takes place once in 12 years. Dr Arun Raj told Deccan Chronicle on Thursday, “There are about 600 steps and we propose to widen them, besides, initiating other measures for easy access to the Hills.”
Expecting that the proposal would get the nod, Mr Raj said work to widen the steps would begin next month and would be completed before the commencement of Mahamastakabhisheka.”
According to Kusuma, reader at National Prakrit Study Centre at Shravanabelagola, there were no steps when the Bahubali statue was carved out during the period of Chavundaraya, commander of the Ganga dynasty.
