The idol of inspiration
Maddur: Tucked away in the countryside about 23 km from Maddur in Mandya district is the sleepy town of Arethippuru that boasts of nothing but rustic simplicity. Hidden inside is a unique Jain pilgrim centre.
Travelling on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, just 5 km before Maddur, a diversion to the left at Rudrashipura, past Kokkarebellur, leads to Arethippuru.
Dominating the landscape amid lush green paddy fields is the hillock Savanappana betta or Doddabetta. On top of the hill is a unique and rare monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, which is about 10 ft tall. However, available scriptures say that the statue dates back to 917-918 AD. This idol is said to have inspired the great sculptor Chavundaraya to carve the 57 ft monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara on Vindyagiri in Shravanabelagola in 981 AD.
Though not many Jain followers stay here today, it was a popular Jain pilgrim centre during the reign of the Gangas from 9-12 century. Though the statue atop is visible from a long distance, one has to tread through paddy fields and climb uphill continuously amid rocks and thick thorny bushes. On reaching the top, one can enjoy a spectacular view of green pastures, coconut groves, water bodies and the countryside.
Once in a while, the local Okkaliga tribe and Jain pilgrims visit this place to pay obeisance to the Lord and to perform the head anointing ceremony (masthakabhisheka). The uniqueness of the statue is that it is carved on a black stone and is flanked on either side by women with creepers entwining them up to their shoulders.
Sadly, this idyllic place is already showing signs of losing its beauty, thanks to the evil designs of man and his lack of concern for preservation. The rocks here bear inscriptions that are testimony to gross vandalism of nature and its art. Even at the base of the hillock, quarrying work is going on continuously.
Unless the Archeological Department and the local community realise the importance of monuments and come forward to protect them, this great relic of history will someday vanish without a trace.
