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The Small Hill derives its name of Chandra from the fact that Chandragupta was the first of the rishis who lived and performed penance there. Kalbappu was the early name of the hill and it dominates the history of the town of Shravanabelagola between 3rd Century BC and 12th Century. The Jainism traditions link the Maurya Empire Emperor Chandragupta and his teacher Bhadrabahu with this place. Of the total no. of 106 memorials found at Shravanabelagola, 92 are located on the Small Hill. Of these, about 47 memorials of monks, 9 of nuns, and 5 of house holders belong to the 7th and 8th century. This points out at the popularity of the custom, and of its extensive prevalence on the Small Hill. A number of Jain basadis are found on the Hill. Some of the prominent ones are: Shantinatha Basadi, Parshwanatha Basadi, Chandragupta Basadi, Kattale Basadi, Majjigana Basadi, Shasana Basadi, Chandraprabha Basadi, Parshwanatha Basadi II, Chavundaraya Basadi, Eradukatte Basadi, Savatigandhavarana Basadi, Terina Basadi, Shantishwara Basadi, Iruve-Brahmadeva Basadi. Apart from these a number of other monuments such as Bhadrabahu Cave, Marasimha’s Manastambha, Mahanavami Mantapa, Bhadrabahu Inscriptions, Gangaraja Mantap and Nishidhi Mantaps can be found on Chandragiri.

We saw a board of Archaeological Survey of India at the entrance. Here are the details from that board:

Chikkabetta, also known as Chandragiri, Katavapra (Black Hill), Tirthagiri or Rishigiri, this hillock is one of the oldest Jain pilgrimage centers in the south as it has the tomb of Bhadrabahu Muni and many other great Jain devotees. The hill is 3052 feet above sea level and here, inside a huge compound are many monuments. First we notice, Kuge Brahma Stambha, a highly decorative pillar with an image of Brahma. Next is the basadi housing Shanthinatha and Suprashwanatha. Soon after is seen the Parshwanatha basadi with a tall Manasthambha in front of it.

The Kattale Basadi also called the Padmavathi basadi, has an image of Yakshi Padmavathi in it, but main deity here is Adinatha and is a considerably huge structure. The Chandragupta basadi, though small, is the oldest, a creation of the local Ganga rulers, and its lattice windows have small nicely engraved episodes form the life of Chandragupta of the Maurya dynasty who is believed to have accompanied Bhadrabahu Muni to this place. The frontal entrance gate is of the days of the Hoysala dynasty, highly embellished. The three shrines here house Parshwanatha at the center and the Yakshis, Padmavathi and Kushmandini in those on either sides.

There is the Chavundaraya basadi, built by Jinadevana, the son of Chavundaraya, who has installed the Gommata monolith. The basadi houses Neminatha. The Shasana basadi known so because it has a large stone inscription (Shasana) in front of it, actually houses Adinatha. The Chandraprabha basadi is the creation of the Ganga king Shivamara II (788-816 AD). The Savathi Gandhavarna basadi was raised by famous Hoysala queen Shanthaladevi.

The Mahanavami mantapa, Majjigana basadi, Eradukatte Basadi, etc, are other monuments here. Near the Mahanavami mantapa is an unfinished image of Bharata, Bahubali’s (Gommata) elder brother, about two metres in height, wrought from the top hill his kneecap. Near it is Iruve Brahma shrine. There is a cave where Bhadrabahu had also his footprints. The place has many holy tombs (Nishidhis).

Photos:

• Chandragiri entrance:



• Steps:



• View of Vindhyagiri from Chandragiri:



• View of Vindhyagiri from Chandragiri:



• View of Vindhyagiri from Chandragiri:



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