An important Jain pilgrimage is also a major attraction for others too. Shravanabelagola is home to the world’s tallest monolithic statue of Lord Gometeshwara. Constructed in 981 AD by a Ganga warrior, Chamundaraya, the statue is carved out of a single block of granite and is visible up to 30 km away. Nearly 700 steps take you up to the Vindhyagiri hills where the statue of Lord Gomesteshwara is located and is surrounded by a temple complex. To worship or see the lord, you will have to climb the steps. At the bottom of the temple, there are several tiny shops selling knick-knacks and puja items. Bang opposite Vindhyagiri lies another hill called Chandragiri. On the top of the Chandragiri, there is a cluster of 14 Jain Temples. To visit both the shrines /hills half a day is recommended. One of the major attractions of Shravanabelagola is the Mahamastakabhisheka. An event which is planned every 12 years is one of the biggest festivals in the world. Not only the Jain pilgrims, travelers, media, and VIP s flock to Shravanabelagola from all over the world. Mahamastakabhisheka is a festival where the lord Gometeshwara ‘s head-anointment ceremony is performed by pouring hundreds of pots of milk, curd, honey, turmeric paste, coconut water, vermillion and even gold and precious jewels over the statue’s head. The last Mahamastakabhisheka was held in 2018 and the next is due in 2030. After visiting this world-famous Jain pilgrimage, you can proceed towards Hassan and retire for the day.

The two ancient and historic temples represent the brilliant and astonishing craftsmanship of Hoysala Architecture. Dedicated to lord Vishnu, the splendid Chennakeshava Temple is believed to have been built in the 11th century. The temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana and the Hoysalas to commemorate the victory of the Hoysalas over the Cholas in the Talakadu battle. The intricate carvings both inside and outside the temple make it worth visiting. The stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata are depicted in the form of stone carvings of women dancing, playing instruments, animals, and birds, and from nature. You can easily spend 2-3 hours at the temple. Just 17 km away from Belur lays the famous Halebeedu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the largest Shiva temples built by Hoysalas. Halebeedu, in Kannada means ‘old house /old ruins,’ mesmerizes the visitors, travelers, and pilgrims leaving them awestruck with its exquisite carvings and craftsmanship. The temple’s base consists of 7 rows carved with elephants, lions, horses, and floral scrolls. The inner and exterior walls of the temple are adorned with intricately carved Hindu deities, sages, birds and animals, and much more depicting stories from Bhagwat Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Halebeedu also houses multiple temples for Hindus and Jains from ancient times. Not to miss an archaeology museum within the Halebeedu complex that houses over 1500 sculptures and artifacts of the Hoysala era. The museum is maintained by ASI. One of the hidden gems of unexplored Karnataka is the Shettihalli Church. Rosary Church was built about 160 years ago by Europeans along the banks of River Hemavathi in Shettihalli Village. Later on, the government built a dam to control flooding.