Temples in Shravanabelagola
- 01
Akkana Basadi
A Hoysala-period Jain temple in the town, dated to 1181 CE and dedicated to Parshvanatha, with carved ceilings and yaksha figures. Small, level and a short walk from the Bhandari Basadi.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Check timings and entry rules locally; the temple is an ASI-listed monument as well as a place of worship. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing; leather is commonly discouraged.
- 02
Bhandari Basadi
The largest temple in the town, sheltering a single row of all 24 Tirthankaras. It stands among the streets at the foot of the hills, so it is easy and level to visit.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, outside the midday heat
- Tickets
- Check current timings and any entry rules locally. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing the images; leather is commonly discouraged.
- 03
Chandragupta Basadi
A small, richly carved basadi on Chandragiri associated in tradition with the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta. Its date is debated, but its carved screens reward a close look.
- Time needed
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning light
- Tickets
- Covered by the Chandragiri visit. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing screens or images; leather is commonly discouraged.
- 04
Chavundaraya Basadi
The best-known temple on Chandragiri, dedicated to Neminatha, the 22nd Tirthankara. Tradition links it to the same minister who commissioned the statue across the valley.
- Time needed
- 20 to 30 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, between November and February
- Tickets
- Covered by the Chandragiri hill visit; confirm entry rules at the foot. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing the sanctum. Leather is commonly discouraged.
- 05
Odegal Basadi and Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar
The largest basadi on Vindhyagiri, with a freestanding carved pillar set up for Chavundaraya nearby. Both are on the climb or just off it, so they fit naturally into the visit to the statue.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes as part of the Vindhyagiri visit
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Early morning while shade lasts, between November and February
- Tickets
- No separate ticket is usually asked as part of the hill visit, but confirm at the base. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before taking photographs inside shrines; leather is commonly discouraged at Jain temples.
Read the Odegal Basadi and Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar guide →
- 06
Parshvanatha Basadi (Chandragiri)
A Chandragiri basadi housing an 18-foot image of Parshvanatha, the tallest on the hill, with a tall free-standing pillar in front. A good stop for scale after the smaller temples.
- Time needed
- 15 to 20 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, between November and February
- Tickets
- Covered by the Chandragiri visit. Remove footwear, dress modestly and ask before photographing the image; leather is commonly discouraged.
Landmarks in Shravanabelagola
- 07
Chandragiri Hill Temples
The smaller hill opposite Vindhyagiri, with a walled enclosure of about fourteen Jain basadis. A shorter climb than the statue, and the quieter and more architectural visit of the two.
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, between November and February
- Tickets
- A visitor listing gives opening at about 6:30 am and closing around 5:30 pm, with entry at the steps; check current hours locally. Remove footwear for the temples and ask before photographing inside shrines.
- 08
Gommateshwara Statue (Vindhyagiri)
A standing figure of Gommateshwara (Bahubali), about 17 metres high and carved from a single granite block on top of Vindhyagiri hill. It has been a Jain pilgrimage centre for a thousand years.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours including the climb, time at the top and the descent
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Early morning on a weekday, between November and February; avoid heavy-rain days when the rock steps are slippery
- Tickets
- Check current entry rules, timings and any fee at the base of the hill. Footwear is normally left at the foot and leather items are commonly discouraged at Jain shrines; ask the staff at the entrance. Photography rules near the statue can change, so confirm on the spot.
Day trips in Shravanabelagola
- 09
Panchakuta Basadi, Kambadahalli
A Western Ganga Jain temple group in Kambadahalli village, with three shrines in different styles and a tall pillar that gave the village its name. A genuine day trip on the road toward Mandya.
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes plus the drive
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, between November and February
- Tickets
- Confirm opening arrangements locally, since this is a small village site. Remove footwear and ask before photographing if the temple is in use.
- 10
Shantinatha Basadi, Jinanathapura
A Hoysala-style Jain temple in the nearby village of Jinanathapura, dedicated to Shantinatha. Built of soapstone with bold carving on the outer walls, it is a good half-day add-on.
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes plus the drive
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, between November and February
- Tickets
- Protected by the state division of the Archaeological Survey; check current timings and any fee locally. It is also a place of worship, so remove footwear and ask before photographing inside.
Places of worship in Shravanabelagola
- 11
Bhadrabahu Cave
A small cave outside the Chandragiri enclosure holding footprints of the Jain teacher Bhadrabahu. Tradition links it to the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta's final years.
- Time needed
- 15 to 25 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning
- Tickets
- Part of the Chandragiri visit. Remove footwear, keep voices low and ask before photography; leather is commonly discouraged at Jain sites.
Culture in Shravanabelagola
- 12
Jain Math (Charukeerti Peetha)
The seat of the Charukeerti Bhattaraka lineage, in the town at the foot of the hills. Known for wall paintings and a collection of idols, including Navadevata and Kushmandini Devi.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- No fixed hours or fees were found in the sources; check locally. It is a religious institution, so dress modestly, remove footwear and ask before photographing murals or images.
