There are thousands of statues of Bhagavan Bahubali across the world. However, an interesting fact is that the oldest Bahubali statue is in USA, informed littérateur Nadoja Dr Hampa Nagarajaiah.

Venur (Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka), February 25, 2012: He was speaking at Bhavaikya Sammelana organised on account of Mahamasthkabhisheka in Venoor on Sunday.

Revealing the fascinating fact, he said that 1600-year-old Bahubali’s bronze statue which is 3.5 ft tall is at Metropolitan Museum in New York city.

“There is close relation between Bahubali and Karnataka. Karnataka is just like maternal home to Bahubali. The oldest Bahubali statue of India is at Aihole which is eight ft tall. The Parshwanath statue which is located in front of Bahubali’s statue in Aihole belongs to 8th century,” informed Hampa Nagarajaiah.

Further, he said that Bahubali is not restricted only to Jain community members, but is for all. Bahubali statue is the greatest contribution India has given to the world. Sky is his roof and plain land is Basadi for the monolith, said Dr Hampa.

108 Pavana Keerthi Sagara Muni Maharaja, Moodbidri Jain Mutt seer Charukeerthi Bhattacharya Swamiji, Aladangadi palace king Dr Padmaprasad Ajila and others were present.

On the last day of Mahamasthakabhisheka Bahubali was anointed with 1008 Kalashas of milk, sandalwood paste and chandana. The general public were allowed to anoint the statue. At least 50,000 devotees visited Venoor on Sunday. - News Courtesy: Deccan Herald