About Venur Bahubali Statue
The Venur Bahubali Statue, also known as Venur Gomateshwara, is a 35-foot monolithic statue of Jain Tirthankara Bahubali located in Venur village on the banks of the Phalguni River in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. Installed in 1604 CE by Thimmanna Ajila, it is the shortest of the four major Gomateshwara statues in Karnataka and faces west. The statue stands on a small hillock within the Shree Bahubali Temple complex.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a 35-foot monolithic standing statue of Bahubali on a low hillock accessed by a flight of stone steps. The statue is housed in an open enclosure within a Jain temple complex with surrounding basadis. The hilltop offers views of the Phalguni River and Venur village. Visitors can walk around the statue base, view Jain carvings, and explore the adjacent temples and courtyard area.
Key highlights
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35-foot (10.7 m) monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali carved from single granite block
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One of the four major Gomateshwara statues in Karnataka alongside Shravanabelagola, Karkala and Dharmasthala
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Installed in 1604 CE by Jain ruler Thimmanna Ajila under guidance of Bhattaraka Charukeerthi
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Located on a small hillock on the banks of the Phalguni River with panoramic village views
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Site of Mahamastakabhisheka ritual held once every 12 years
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Part of Venur Jain temple complex with multiple historic basadis
History of Venur Bahubali Statue
The statue was commissioned by Thimmanna Ajila, ruler of the Ajila dynasty of Venur, and consecrated in 1604 CE. It was sculpted under the guidance of Jain monk Bhattaraka Charukeerthi of Shravanabelagola. It is the fourth and smallest of the four colossal monolithic Bahubali statues in Karnataka, representing the Jain ideal of renunciation and is an important example of late medieval Jain art in coastal Karnataka.
Culture & Context
The statue is a significant Jain pilgrimage centre in coastal Karnataka and represents Lord Bahubali, revered for his renunciation and meditation. It is part of the Jain heritage circuit of Dakshina Kannada along with Karkala and Moodbidri. The Mahamastakabhisheka, the ceremonial anointing of the statue held every 12 years, draws Jain devotees and visitors.