The short answer
Bahubali Statue, Ratnagiri Hill: what visitors should know first
Worth an easy morning or late-afternoon stop. You can drive up or climb the steps in roughly 20 minutes. Go for the statue and the view over the town, not for crowds, and avoid the midday sun.
History and context
The story behind Bahubali Statue, Ratnagiri Hill
The statue was carved in 1973 by the sculptor Renjala Gopalkrishna Shenoy at Karkala, during the time of Ratnavarma Heggade, and installed on Ratnagiri hill by Dr D. Veerendra Heggade, in February 1982 according to the temple's own website. Other sources give 1973 as the installation year, so sources differ.
Wikipedia gives its weight as about 175 tonnes and the pedestal as about 13 feet.
Useful facts
Bahubali Statue, Ratnagiri Hill facts at a glance
- Location
- Ratnagiri hill, Dharmasthala
- Experience type
- Open-air monolithic statue
- Known for
- 39 ft stone Bahubali, one of five in Karnataka
- Sculptor
- Renjala Gopalkrishna Shenoy
- Getting there
- Road or about 20 minutes of steps
Why it matters
Why Bahubali Statue, Ratnagiri Hill is worth your time
Bahubali, also revered as Gommateshwara, is a figure of renunciation in Jain tradition, and monolithic statues of him are a feature of Karnataka's Jain sites. The Dharmasthala statue is one of five such stone statues in the state, according to Wikipedia, and stands about 39 feet tall.
It matters here because it shows the Jain thread in a town best known for a Shiva temple. The statue gives the visit a quieter second note: after the crowds and rules of the temple, the hilltop has space, wind and a clear view over the surrounding Western Ghats foothills.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The statue itself
A 39-foot granite figure on a high pedestal, carved from one piece of stone.
- 02
Carved details
Elephants and attendant figures at the base and legs reward a slow walk around it.
- 03
The hilltop view
The hill gives an open view over the town and the surrounding foothills.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Decide first whether to climb or drive. The pathway from the temple area reaches the statue in about 20 minutes on foot, and the road lets a car or auto go most of the way. Older visitors usually do best going up by road and walking down gently, if they walk at all.
The statue stands in the open on a pedestal, with a platform around it. Walk a full circle to see the carved details: elephants showering flowers at the base and figures freeing the creepers that climb the legs. Bahubali is shown standing in meditation, and the face is more austere than some better-known statues.
Go in the cool of the morning or late afternoon. The hill is exposed and humid, and the light is better too. Combine it with the museum and temple, and leave the climb until you have eaten and rested.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Drive up if anyone has trouble with steps
- Go early or late to avoid the midday heat
- Carry water and a hat
- Check access hours at the temple office
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Ratnagiri hill, about 1 km from the temple
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, to avoid heat and humidity
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The official site says you can climb the steps in about 20 minutes or drive up by road. Take the road if anyone has knee trouble; there is little shade on the steps, so carry water and a hat.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket is mentioned in the sources we opened, but check at the temple office for current access hours. Dress modestly, since this is a Jain shrine, and expect shoes to be removed near the statue.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bahubali Statue, Ratnagiri Hill
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The official site says you can climb the steps in about 20 minutes or drive up by road. Take the road if anyone has knee trouble; there is little shade on the steps, so carry water and a hat.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How tall is the Dharmasthala Bahubali statue?
About 39 feet, on a pedestal of about 13 feet, according to the temple site and Wikipedia.
Can I drive up to the statue?
Yes, the official site says you can reach it by road as well as by a stepped path of about 20 minutes.
When was it installed?
Sources differ: the temple's site gives February 1982 for installation after carving in 1973.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
