According to the Jain mythology, the first tirthankara, Rishabhanatha had two sons, Bharat and Bahubali. The step brothers contested for supremacy and their mighty armies ranged against each other in an impending battle. At the counsel  of the ministers of both the courts, the issue was sought to be settled through a series of personal combats between the two kings. Bahubali vanquished his rival, but disgusted at the extent of debasing of human nature through greed, lust for power, pride and violence, he renounced the world. He practised severe penance in the kayotsarga mudra (the posture of renouncing the physical existence) for one whole year.

Bahubali is known in South India as Gommateshwara. A colossal, monolithic statue of Gommateshwara  was got sculpted by Chamunda Raya, a minister and commander-in-chief of the Ganga King Rajamallar   Satyavakya (also known as Rachamallar). This statue is atop a granite hill at Shrayatiabelgola (in Karnataka). The place  acquired its name from the pond  of translucent waters (now known as Kalyani)   around which Jain shramanas (ascetics) used to meditate.

The 18 metre high colossus dominates the landscape from the 140 metre high hillock. In the traditional kayotsarga manner, his long hands reaching the knees, a sign of mahapurush (great  man)  rest  at his sides on which the madhavi creepers entwine. The figure is imbued with human warmth and divine grace, as is traditional in Indian art. The face is effulgent with inner bliss which a yogi achieves after fulfillment of a  dedicated life. Oblivious of world around him  his eyes are fixed at a point where cosmic ideas merge  with our world of experience.

The annonymous master-sculptor, who conceived the statue, integrated two different modes of sculpture : the upper portion is carved fully in round while the lower one is in high relief. The richness of fine grain  granite has  been heightened by a fine gloss through burnishing, which equals to the polished Asokan figures  of 3rd Century B.C.

The statue was dedicated in about 981 A.D., when pratishthapana (holy installation) took place. To celebrate the thousand year of the installation of the colossus, mahamastakabhisheka (holy annointing) is being performed in 1981.

Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is privileged to commemorate the occasion by issuing a special stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India