Chandragiri Hill

Chandragiri Hill, also called Chikkabetta, is the smaller of the two hills at Shravanabelagola in Hassan District, Karnataka. Opposite Vindhyagiri Hill, it is a major Digambara Jain pilgrimage centre with numerous basadis (Jain temples), memorials and inscriptions. Traditionally associated with Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and Acharya Bhadrabahu, the hill preserves structures from the Ganga period onwards and offers views of the town and Vindhyagiri.

Visitors climb approximately 200 rock-cut steps to a hilltop complex of Jain basadis and open courtyards. The summit has stone temples including Chandragupta Basadi, Chavundaraya Basadi and Kattale Basadi, ancient inscriptions, and the Bhadrabahu Cave. The hilltop provides panoramic views of Shravanabelagola town, Vindhyagiri Hill with the Gommateshwara statue, and surrounding plains. The site is quiet and primarily for pilgrimage, sightseeing and photography of architecture and landscape.

Chandragiri is traditionally linked to the 3rd century BCE migration of Jain Acharya Bhadrabahu and his disciple Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, who is believed to have performed sallekhana here. The hill contains the Chandragupta Basadi (9th century), Chavundaraya Basadi (10th century) built by Ganga minister Chavundaraya, and Kattale Basadi. It has over 100 inscriptions including the important Shravanabelagola inscriptions documenting Jain history and Ganga, Hoysala and Vijayanagara patronage.

One of the most important Digambara Jain pilgrimage centres in South India, Chandragiri is revered as the site where Chandragupta Maurya attained spiritual liberation. It houses memorials of Jain monks, footprints and shrines, and is closely associated with the Mahamastakabhisheka festival held at nearby Vindhyagiri. The hill represents continuous Jain religious and architectural tradition for over 2000 years.