Contributed by Nalini Balbir
The Digital South Asia Library at the University of Chicago provides detailed information about the images of Bāhubali found at historical sites in:
The black-and-white photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Details of the colossus of the great saint Bāhubali at Shravana Belgola shown in this 2009 YouTube video. The serene expression of the naked statue and the plants growing round his body can be clearly seen. The granite figure, showing Bāhubali deep in meditation, has attracted countless pilgrims since its dedication in 981. Most are Digambara Jains, though Bāhubali is revered by all sects.
The Huntington Archive at Ohio State University provides this photograph of the head of the colossal statue of Bāhubali at Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. Completed in the tenth century, the granite statue has a serene expression and elongated earlobes, reminders that Bāhubali gave up his rank as king – who wore heavy jewellery, including earrings – to seek spiritual truth. Pilgrims climb the steep hill to worship at the feet of the idol, which is nearly 18 metres tall.
http://huntington.wmc.ohio-state.edu/public/index.cfm?fuseaction=showThisDetail&ObjectID=30021935
A large statue of Bāhubali is found at the Hindu pilgrimage site at Dharmasthala in Karnataka. The temple management of the Sri Manjunatha Swamy Temple provides information about the story of Bāhubali and Bharata and the history of the statue at the site.
Look through historical photographs and drawings of the Digambara pilgrimage centre of Kārkala in Karnataka in the JAINpedia image gallery, chosen from the online collection of the British Library.
Collection of photographs of Shravana Belgola in Karnataka, including details of the colossal statue of Bāhubali and other parts of the site. One of the most famous Jain pilgrimage centres, Shravana Belgola is closely associated with the Digambara sect, although all Jains honour the great Jain saint Bāhubali.
Provided by the World Art Treasures, the Fondation Jacques-Edouard Berger in Lausanne, Switzerland.
This YouTube video shows the 2006 Mahā-mastakābhiṣeka – ‘Great head-anointing ceremony’ – at the Digambara pilgrimage site of Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. The 18-metre-tall statue of Bāhubali – also called Gommaṭeśvara – at the top of the hill of Vindhya-giri has been a focus of pilgrimage since the tenth century. The spectacular ceremony takes place every 12 years, attracting thousands of pilgrims and visitors for the month-long festival. This video, which features naked monks, white-clad nuns and lay people in sacred orange, was uploaded in 2010 by ray32825.
The enormous figure of the great Jain saint Bāhubali at Shravana Belgola in Karnataka. Probably carved from a single block of granite, the statue shows Bāhubali so deep in meditation that plants have grown up his body. Pilgrims stand at the feet of the tenth-century statue, which is nearly 18 metres tall. The Huntington Archive at Ohio State University provides this 2001 photograph.
http://huntington.wmc.ohio-state.edu/public/index.cfm?fuseaction=showThisDetail&ObjectID=30022470
The Hindu newspaper reports on 23rd January 2006 that former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda noted how the Jain saint Bāhubali provided an inspirational example while giving a speech at Shravanabelgola in Karnataka.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006012307460400.htm&date=2006/01/23/&prd=th&
The Hindu newspaper carries an article on the statue of Bāhubali at Gommatagiri in Karnataka. Dated 22 January 2006, the piece reports how quarrying threatens the stability of the colossus while there is a lack of facilities at the popular pilgrimage site.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006012209850300.htm&date=2006/01/22/&prd=th&
Based in Shravana Belgola in Karnataka, the Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth is a research centre specialising in Digambara Jainism. It publishes the journal Prakrit Teerth: Quarterly Journal of Prakrit Studies.