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Economic Contribution of Jain Pilgrimage Centers in Karnataka:

A Case Study of Shravanabelagola

Prathibha Parshwanath,
Associate Professor
Department of Economics
Government First Grade College
KR Pura, Bengaluru-560036

ABSTRACT
Contemporary Jainism is a small but influential religious minority with 4.2 million (0.4
percent)followers in India and 42,25053 population in Karnataka with highest literacy rate of
94.1 percent in India and 84.3 percent in Karnataka which is above the national average. Jains
have significantly influenced and contributed to ethical, social, political, historical, literature
and economic spheres both in India and Karnataka from long [Link] had been a very old
religion of Karnataka and have profound influence on the religion. There are number of famous
Jain pilgrimage centers in Karnataka. Some of them are Shravanabelagola, Moodabidri,
Karkala, Badami,Humcha, Sonda, Narasimharajapura, Gommatagiri and the like.
Shravanabelagola known all over the world for the famous Gommateshwara monolithic statue,
is one of the most sacred Jain pilgrimage centre and it attracts large number tourists, devotees
from all over India and abroad and positive impact on Karnataka Economy. Hence, the present
paper focus on economic contribution of Jain pilgrimage centre in Karnataka and need for
development of such pilgrimage destinations.
Key words: Religion, Jain Pilgrimages, Religious tourism, Economic contributions

Introduction
There are natural and manmade tourism [Link] tourism resources are water falls,
wildlife and bird sanctuaries varied flora and fauna. Manmade tourism resources are
monuments, religious places, temples, historical places and the [Link] endowed with
such potential natural and manmade tourist destinations and can attain rapid tourism growth in
the era of globalization which had ushered new opportunities for economic development. Thus
tourism play a proven role in economic booming both in India and [Link] reason being
the presence of wide range of stimulating inclusive economic growth, employment generation
and social integration.

Economic benefits of Tourism

From the review of literature it was found that the Tourism is a multifaceted economic asset as
it is an effective tool of economic growth as far as the natural and manmade tourist destinations
are concerned.
In 1973 an eminent Tanzanian academic issashiugwrotr in the preface to his book ‘Tourism
and Social Development’that the justification for tourism in terms of it being economically

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good….. Completely fails to appreciate the integrated nature of the system of

underdevelopment.
In 1970 agroup of students at the University of Dar Es Salaam contributed a long article about
theEconomics of Tourism to a local newspaper. There was a three months demand among
academics, town people and civil servants about the economic benefits of tourism and provides
a good example of the political economic perspective.1.
 A rise in the Gross National Product
Many economic analysis claims that a multiplier effect follows investment in Tourism.
A tourist purchases handicrafts in alocal shop and part of the proceeds of the sale
becomes income to a shop owner. The latter buys food with it at another store, some of
which may leakout of the country if imports are involved, but the residue is income to
the food store owner. This is respent and soon. The operation of this economic
multiplier is said to raise the entire GNP and will vary from country to country and on
a regional basis.

 Earner for a Revenue to the Government

This refer to the small share of tourism economic benefits gained by a government from
taxes and duties on things tourist use and buy. Thus heavy duties in terms of taxes
constitute an extra source of national income from the tourist industry.
 A generator of employment
A new job would be created by investment in tourism and many tourist jobs are created
in tourist destinations both rural and urban areas. It is more beneficial to rural people
since most of the tourist destinations are located in rural [Link] modern sector
employment in rural areas is scarcest and could thus be said to be worth more than
equivalent in the city.
 Improvement in Social and Economic infrastructure
Social infrastructure make public health, sanitation and housing and economic
infrastructure like transportation and communication, drinking water, power and soon
are positively stimulated by Tourism.
 Foreign Exchange earnings
Due to foreign tourist visiting our tourist destination brings more foreign exchange
earnings. An American economist Frank Mitchell arguedthat tourism is a good thing if
the economic indicators are positive.

Overall in assessing the economic implications of tourism we need to look at it from an

overall view of our economic philosophy and not from the narrow and shortterm view
of whetherit makes profit or loss at a given period of time. Economists also suggested
that tourism makes it most valuable economic impact in the early phases of
development in a third world country or developing country like India.

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Karnataka and Tourism

Karnataka is glittering among India states due to its rich in scenic beauty and contribution to
the development of Indian civilization is located at the southern part of India. Karnataka’s
thousands of years of history, its length, diversity and variety of geographical features made it
larger and varied tourism basket and will also be a tourism hot spot. It presents heritage, cultural
and natural tourism along with medical business and sport tourism. Both natural and manmade
effort have combined to make Karnataka a tourist paradise. It has been ranked as 4th most
popular destination for tourism among states of India. It has the second highest number of
protected monuments in India. It is home to 507 3600 centrally protected monuments in India.

Karnataka and Jain Pilgrimage Centers

Karnataka has the some of the most scared pilgrimage centres and it would be no exaggeration
to the term it as a hot bed for the religion of Jainism since it has a long association with Jainism,
a religion which enjoyed patronage of major historic kingdoms in the state such
asShatavahanas, Gangas, Kadambas, Badami and Kalyani Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and
Hoysala dynasty. In coastal districts of Karnataka Jainism was flourished by rulers like Alupas
of Tuluva, Ballalas of Puttige, Bangas of Bagewadi,Tolahas of Surali, Choutas of Mudabidri,
Ajilas of Venuru, Samantas of Mulike, Bhairavaras of Karkala and Kalasa and made Jainism
as the State Religion. Apart from this many feudatory rulers like Rattas of Soundatti, Senavaras
of Kadur, Salvas of Sangitapura(present Haduvalli),Chengavas of Hunasur, Kongavas of
Hassan and Shantaras of Tirthahalli patronized Jainism and constructed innumerable temples.
This historical association of Jainism in Karnataka dates back to ancient period to early
medieval period and that period was a strong hold of Jainism in Karnataka. Today the state is
home to a number of Jain pilgrimage centers like shravanabelagola, Moodubidri, Karkala,
Halebeedu, Belgaum, Bijapur, Lakkundi, Dharmasthala, Varanga, Venur, Humcha,
Narasimharajapura and kanakagiri are venerated by all and are directly and indirectly
contributing to the Karnataka economy.

Case Study
I selected Shravanabelagola as sample because inflow of both domestic and foreign tourists
are more according to the Department of Tourism source. After Mysore the second preferred
place is Shravanabelagola with 14,38,635 domestic and 41,773 foreign tourist visited. Tourist
visited not only to see Lord Bahubali but also to visit Department of Jainology and Prakrut
Research Institute for research purpose from across India. For the study primary data has been
collected from local residents, vendors and Shri. B.N. VaraprasadReddy,KAS, Government of
Karnataka, A special officer of Mahamastakabhisheka-2018.

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Shravanabelagola: A Piligrimage Tourist Destination

Shravanabelagola is in Hassan district, 157 km away from Banglore and 85 km away from
Mysore is an important jaina pilgrimage centre. There is a pond called by name Kalyani and
two stony hills called Chandragiri and Indragiri. Chandragiri has the Chandragupta basadi of
Gangas and other 28 basadis. Indragiri has the Lord Gommateshwara 57feet monolithic statue
installed by a Ganga general and scholar Chavundaraya in 822 AD. It is considered to be the
world’s largest monolithic stone statues and stands one among the seven wonders of India. In
the opinion of Ferguson “Nothing grander or more imposing exists anywhere out of Egypt and
even there no known as status surpasses its height”.
Mahamasthakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony of the Lord Gommateshwara is great
grand event held once in 12 years is one of the main attraction. The statue of Bahubali is
worshipped and bathed in holy water, milk and pastes of astagandha, turmeric, saffron,
chandana, flowers and other natural herbs that have their own significant importance. Every 12
years lakhs of devotees and tourists congregates here from all over the world to perform the
Mahamasthakabhisheka. The last anointing took place in February 2018 from 17th to 25thunder
the leadership of CharukeerthiBhattarakaSwamiji of [Link] is said to be the 88th
in the series as it commenced in the year 981 AD by Chavundaraya,

Religious Tourism and Economy

In India Religion and Economy are the two faces of the same coin. Religion is the engine of
economic growth. From ancient period people are more attached to the celebration of festivals
and worshipping god. In religious tourist destinations people spent a part of their income to
purchase worshipping items which are the sources of income of local people. India also famous
for mega religious events like Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola
and Dharmasthala, Rathayatra at PuriJagannatha, Kumbhamela at Prayagraj,
Shrinivasakalyana at Tirupati and the like. To meet the needs of the devotees government
created both social and economic infrastructure.

Economic Aspects of Mahamastakabhisheka

It is known fact thatduring ageold period Mahamastakabhisheka was conducted by kingdom of
that region from time to time for every 12 years without break. Accordingly even today it is
conducted by the Government of Karnataka in collaboration with Jain Mutt,
[Link], a special officer , is of the opinion that the state
government took the responsibility of providing civic amenities in and around
Shravanabelagola and spent crores of rupees for various social and economic infrastructure
work like drinking water supply, health and sanitation, cleanliness, medical facilities,
underground drainage system, temporary township for accommodation with all basic facilities
for devotees and mendicants and sheds for free food arrangements and the like. During this
mega event nearly 38 lakhs of devotees and tourists visited Shravanabelagola.

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Analysis and Findings

As a Religious tourist place Shravanabelagola contributed to the expansion of various
economic activities of that place in general and during Mahamastakabhisheka event in
particular. These development activities of the government adds income to the local people
and also brought revenue to the government.
The major findings related to Shravanabelagola are
I. Income and Employment concerned
 Masthakabhishekha is considered crucial for developing the state tourism potential.
 More than 1000 surrounding people are able to get employment opportunities to
maintain various guest houses, temples, and Jainmutt during regular time and during
Mahamastakabhisheka more than 5000 people from both surrounding and across
Karnataka got temporary employment.
 Throughout the year the inflow of pilgrim and tourist to shravanabelagola is good. Even
for research purpose 8 to 10 foreigners visiting Shravanabelagola per month.
 The local market at Shravanabelagola is quite colourful with its collection of hotels,
restaurant, ATM centres, fruits and vegetable vendors, stationery shops, gift shops and
soon. The market is well established and provides everything that is essential and are
the regular source of income of local vendors.
 Government and mutt can get income from Temporary Township which was
constructed to accommodate thirty thousand devotees and
 Apart from temporary accommodation facilities provided by government jointly with
jainmutt, the local people convert their residences into temperory rental
accommodation for the use of tourist and thereby making a regular income.
 Mutt also can get income from selling kalashas and other worshipping items to devotees
 Ultimately a string of business units, small and big, spring up to cater the needs of the
tourist indirectly contributing to the local economy.
 Government developed watersports in Janivaralake near shravanabelagola for
recreation and it is also a source of regular income of local people.
 Hassan district is a land of coconut plantation and majority of coconut growers are
concentrating in shravanabelagola surrounding areas. Hence,as a part of
Mahamastakabhisheka Karnataka government initiated Kalpamrutha to promote
healthy drink tender coconut water in different flavours and from this project local
farmers get more revenue . Now it is successfully run by Bahubali RaitaSangha.

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[Link] infrastructure is concerned

 Road works undertaken at the cost of Rs.10 Crores.
 During Masthakabhisheka there are special KSRTC buses ply to connect
shravanabelagola with other parts of Karnataka.
 For accommodation yatri nivas, KSTDC hotels, guest houses are constructed.
 Under integrated tourism and environmental development programme, the
department of tourism, Government of Karnataka has prepared project file for
the economic hotel at Sharavanabelagola, with the objective of promoting
tourism.
 New irrigation project of 29 crores for Channarayapatna taluk to provide water
to Sharavanabelagola and its surrounding areas.
 New Hassan Shravanabelagola railway line of 43kms long work is completed
and Hassan- Bangalore railway line had been undertaken since 1996 at the cost
of 4.13 crores but due to many unavoidable reasons the work has been delayed.
This railway line would be instrumental in connecting Shravanabelagola with
other parts of India,

 Even though Hassan district is a favorite destination for tourist especially for
foreign visitors tourism industry has not grown as expected due to lack of
availability of tourist accommodation. The district has heritage sights like
Belur, Haleebedu and Jain pilgrimage centre Shravanabelagola which attracts
lacks of tourist from across the world every year. According to department of
tourism source nearly 25 lakhs tourist visit the district every year but the
tourism industry has not grown to the extent it was expected to considering the
potential in the district.

 Even though positive impact on the economy, the local have not yet been
benefited greatly from the inflow of tourists. All these because the visitors do
not stay in the place, they prefer to move on either to Bangalore or Mysore by
evening. Tourism department assistant director Bhaskar Said Belur, Halebid
and Shravanabelagola are of top jain pilgrimage centre in the world attracts the
highest number of visitors in the district. These 3 place can be covered in one
day and that itself is the dis-advantage for the growth of tourism sector in the
district.

 The tourists are unhappy with the amenities of Shravanabelagola and its
surrounding areas, There are no good hotels close to the temple in the town.
Over all lack of better facilities for tourist to stay.

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 Besides there are many places worth visiting around Shravanabelagola is

Kambadahalli 19Kms from it which has panchakuta basadi and also as famous
as Shravanabelagola in earlier period. Now it is run by Jain Mutt of
Kambadahalli with lack of resources and it is also not coming under the picture
of department of tourism. These places have no proper approach roads, route
direction, facilities to visit places etc.

 But compare to other tourist destinations of Hassan district Shravanabelagola

has better facility for tourists.

Conclusion
Inspite of the limited facility and lesser economic affluence the Karnataka Tourism industry is
contributing significantly to the state economy. Karnataka Government framed tourism policy
of 2009-2014 under the theme of One State Many World. This policy focused on how
Karnataka integrates its modern Silicon city with being recognized globally as a Cradle of
Stone [Link] tourism policy of 2015-2020 aims to position Karnataka as a visible
global brand in Tourism for visitors as well as investors by encouraging development of
relevant infrastructure through partnerships between private sector, Government and the
Community. This tourism policy is economic oriented with the objective of making tourism
the largest economic activity and provide employment opportunities, generate revenue and
income. In this content connects the tourist destinations with better infrastructure is the need
of the hour.

Suggestions
1. Promoting infrastructure development with private public participation.
2. State and local Government should create better facilities for tourists.
3. Encourage foreign tourist by developing into world class tourism destination.
4. Importance of home stay concept for foreign visitors without affecting the environment.
If tourist stays for a day different sections of the society can get benefit. Owners of local
hotels or homestays will get customers and petty shops and shop keepers will do
business. As a result the local economy will improve and with that the standard of living
will improve.
5. Special authorities should be developed for over all development of the town with
active participation of local communities and civil bodies.
6. Make responsible tourism.

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References
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 Mittal.A.C (2006) Economic Aspects of Jainism, Vista International
Publishing House, Delhi
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 [Link],(1980), Shravanabelagola, Art publishers of India,
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 Eelke de Jong(2008), Religious values and Economic Growth a Review of
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 Vikiloc, India 20120807 de Mysore a Hassan pasant per Shravanabelagola
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 Karnataka Tourism policy 2009-2014
 Karnataka Tourism policy, 2015-2020
 Martha Frederick, Rural Tourism and Economic Development,vol 7,
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 Tourism and Economic Development; A Survey, The Journal of Development
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 Jeevandhara Kumar K Hotapete( Jan,Feb, April, May, July, September1987),
The Jaina History of Karnataka, Gommatavaniperiodicals, Shri Jain Mutt,
Shravanabelagola

***********

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