A mechanism to help devotees climbing the Vindhyagiri of Shravanabelgola, where 57-feet tall Bahubali monolith is located, has not been conceptualised though the demand for a ropeway to the hilltop began much before the last Mahamastakabhisheka in 2006. One has to climb 630 steps to reach the hilltop.
The Shravanabelgola Digambara Jain Mutt appealed to the Centre for a ropeway. The demand was turned down by the technical team of the Archaeological Survey of India citing that the project would harm the archaeological site. Karnataka government had proposed an elevator instead.
Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami of the Jain Mutt, in a press conference here on Sunday, said the ropeway was proposed but the technical committee of the ASI had not approved it. “Whatever mechanism we think of should have ASI’s approval. Now also we have written to the Director-General of the ASI inviting him to Shravanabelagola to discuss the possibilities of making it easier for the pilgrims to reach the hilltop”, he said.
At present doli-carriers carry the aged in cane chairs tied to bamboo poles up the Vindyagiri to see the monolithic Gomateshwara statue.
