This is one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrimage centres in India, and the site of the huge 17-meter-high naked statue of Bahubali (Gomateshvara), said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue. It overlooks the town of Sravanabelagola from the top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri and is visible from quite a distance. The word Sravanabelagola means the Monk of the White Pond.

The statue of Bahubali was created during the reign of the Ganga king, Rachamalla. It was commissioned by a military commander in the service of Rachamalla and built by the sculptor Aristanemi in 981 AD. You have to climb up 614 rock-cut steps to reach at the top.