Sravanabelagola is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage centers of Jainism in India. India's first great emperor, Chandragupta Maurya, embraced Jainism and retreated to Sravanabelagola in the 3rd century BC. In the 10th century AD a 17 meter high statue of Lord Bahubali was erected in town and even nowadays it is still an impressive sight. Lord Bahubali was a monk and the statue is on top of a hill and thus the town is called Sravanabelagola, which means 'monk on the top of the hill'.

You are only allowed to visit the statue barefoot and you will have to climb 614 stone steps to get there. It is thought that Emperor Ashoka built the other main attraction of Sravanabelagola, the Jain temple of Chandragupta Basti. There are several 14th century paintings inside.

There are several hotels and restaurants in town.