Venur Gommateshwara

The smallest and latest of the three great Bahubali colossi of coastal Karnataka, at about eleven metres.

A third major Bahubali colossus on Karnataka’s coast, consecrated in 1604 and standing about thirty-five feet — smaller than Shravanabelagola’s or Karkala’s, but part of the same coastal Digambara tradition of raising monolithic figures that makes this stretch of Karnataka, Shravanabelagola included, the place with by far the highest concentration of Bahubali statues anywhere.

Venur’s basadi complex around the statue is smaller than Karkala’s or Moodabidri’s, reflecting the more modest scale of its patron dynasty, but the statue itself follows the same kayotsarga standing posture, arms held clear of the body, that identifies every Bahubali image at a glance.

Written for Jain Times. Corrections are welcome — see sources and licences.