Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri Hills, Shravanabelagola: A Visitor's Guide

The twin hills of Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri define the sacred landscape of Shravanabelagola. Rising on either side of the town’s white pond, Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills hold the famous Gomateshwara statue and a cluster of ancient Jain basadis, making them the two essential climbs for every visitor to Shravanabelagola.

Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills, Shravanabelagola. Source Ananth H V

Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri Hills: The Two Hills of Shravanabelagola

Shravanabelagola is set between two rocky granite hills with a sacred tank, the belagola or white pond, lying in between. Vindhyagiri is the taller of the two and is crowned by the colossal Gomateshwara statue. Chandragiri, the smaller hill opposite, is older in religious importance and is covered with beautifully carved temples and inscriptions. Together, Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills tell the complete story of Shravanabelagola’s Jain heritage.

Vindhyagiri Hill

Vindhyagiri (also called Indragiri or Doddabetta, meaning the “big hill”) is the more famous of the two. Its summit is home to the 57-foot Gomateshwara statue, reached by climbing over 600 rock-cut steps carved into the granite. Along the way, pilgrims pass smaller shrines, gateways and mandapas. From the top, the views over the town, the pond and Chandragiri hill are magnificent. Read more about the statue itself in our guide to the Gomateshwara (Bahubali) statue.

Chandragiri Hill

Chandragiri (Chikkabetta, the “small hill”) is steeped in legend. It is believed that the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya spent his final years here in penance under the guidance of the Jain saint Bhadrabahu. The hill is dotted with a group of basadis, including the Chandragupta Basadi and Chamundaraya Basadi, celebrated for their Hoysala craftsmanship, along with memorial pillars and hundreds of inscriptions. Explore them in detail in our article on the temples and basadis of Shravanabelagola.

Climbing the Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri Hills

Vindhyagiri involves a steeper, longer climb of more than 600 steps, while Chandragiri is a gentler ascent. As both hills are sacred, footwear must be removed at the base. Pilgrims who cannot manage the steps can hire a doli (palanquin) on Vindhyagiri. Allow around one to two hours per hill to explore comfortably.

Practical Tips

Start early in the morning to avoid the midday heat, as the granite steps become very hot. Carry a pair of socks to protect your feet, along with water and sun protection. Both hills can be covered in a half to full day. For onward planning, see our how to reach Shravanabelagola guide.