Sravanabelagola:

The Splendour and Simplicity of Bahubali

11 - 26 February 2006

£1720 including flights from UK; single supplement £275.

in association with Jain Spirit

This exciting tour focusses on the Mahamastakabhisheka festival, which has taken place approximately every 12 years since the inauguration of the great statue of Bahubali in 981.  In association with Jain Spirit magazine, and accompanied by famous scholar of Jainism, Dr. Bob Del Bonta, the tour visits many places of deep historical and spiritual significance in South India.  For full details of the festival itself, see the Jain Spirit website, www.jainspirit.com

Sat 11 Feb 2006   

1350 departure from Heathrow T4 on direct British Airways flight.

Sun 12 Feb   

0500 arrival in Bangalore , home of the Devanahalli temple, carved with 1008 murtis of the Tirthankaras. Transfer to St. Marks Hotel . Rest of the day at leisure.

Mon 13 Feb   

Drive to Sravanabelagola (approximately three hours) for the Mahamasthakabhishekha festival. En route visit the village temples of Shanthigrama , Hongere and Markuli . Stay at the Hoysala Village Resort in Hassan .

Tues 14 Feb   

Attend the Mahamasthakabhishekha festival, including a short visit to the Panchakuta Basti in Kambadahali . Overnight at the Hoysala Village Resort .  

Wed 15 Feb   

Attend the Mahamasthakabhishekha festival; then, in the evening, drive to Mysore (about three hours). Stay at the Southern Star Hotel.

Thurs 16 Feb   

Day visit to Somnathpur to visit the Keshava Temple (one and a half hours' drive) and nearby Kanakagiri. Return to the Southern Star Hotel

Fri 17 Feb   

Day visit to Gomatagiri, Bastihalli, and Brindavan Gardens . Return to the Southern Star Hotel .

Sat 18 Feb   

Day free for sightseeing - Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, local temples. Overnight at the Southern Star Hotel

Sun 19 Feb   

Return to Hassan, and the Hoysala Village Resort . Visit the magnificent and historic Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid . On the way back to Hassan drop by the village of Adaguru , where the Jain temple is renowned for its Sahasrakuta image adorned with 1008 tirthankaras carved from a single stone .

Mon 20 Feb   

Drive to Mangalore (approx. six hours). Stay at the Summer Sands Beach Resort . Rest of the day at leisure.

Tues 21 Feb   

Day visit to the bastis and Bahubali statues of the surrounding villages of Venur , Karkal and Dharmastala .

Wed 22 Feb   

Day visit to Mudabidri to visit all 18 Jain Bastis .

Thur 23 Feb   

Day visit to Varanga, Sringeri, Hombuja and Narasimharajapura .

Fri 24 Feb   

Transfer to airport for direct Air Deccan flight to Bangalore , departing at 1120 and arriving 1220. Stay at St. Mark's Hotel .

Sat 25 Feb   

Day free for sightseeing in Bangalore.

Sun 26 Feb   

Transfer to the airport for direct British Airways flight at 0700 (BA 118). Arrive London Heathrow Terminal 4 at 1240 .

The Cost:

Per Person sharing twin or double room accommodation     £1720.00

Single Room Supplement           £275.00

The Cost includes:

•  International air fare in economy class on direct British Airways flight.

•  UK and India departure taxes

•  Internal flight from Mangalore to Bangalore on Deccan air.

•  Accommodation with private facilities as specified in the itinerary

•  Daily breakfast and dinner.

•  All transport and sightseeing arrangements by air-conditioned chauffeur driven private coach.

•  Entry fee to monuments and places of interest. Services of a local English speaking guide for sightseeing of tourist monuments.

•  Services of our local office representative for the general management of the tour from arrival until departure.

•  Services of Dr Bob Del Bonta* as Jain scholar.

•  Two representatives of Jain Spirit London on the tour.

Cost does not include:

•  Visa fee (£30.00). We can provide assistance for obtaining visas for India at a fee of £20.00 per passport.

•  Travel Insurance

•  Any expenses of a personal nature

*Robert J. Del Bontà has worked with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco since 1978 where he taught courses in South and Southeast Asian art and curated many shows. He has published material concerning many of the sites that will be visited-articles on pre-Hoysala and Hoysala Hindu and Jaina sculpture and architecture. He has also led a number of art history tours to India and Pakistan.

His most important work concerning Shravana Belgola includes: "Temples and Monuments of Shravana Belgola," major text for Homage to Shravana Belgola, Bombay: Marg Publications, 1981, pp. 63-100 and "The Jaina Heritage of Karnataka," Gommatesvara Commemoration Volume, ed., T.G. Kalghatgi, Shravanabelgola, 1981, pp. 128-34.

He will be lecturing at a symposium at the Centre for Jaina Studies, SOAS, London, in March 2006.