Tours to Sravanabelgola, Karnataka

An 18-metre-tall colossus, carved from a single piece of granite, is the showpiece of this peaceful Jain pilgrimage site. Indragiri Hill at its heart is said to be where the legendary Prince Bahubali achieved Moksha – Liberation from the cycle of re-birth – after standing for a thousand years in deep meditation, while creepers coiled around his limbs and ants nested on his toes. Among the visitors passing through to pay their respects to the statue each day are Jain monks and nuns, dressed in white robes with masks of cotton gauze to prevent them inhaling insects or other living creatures. Get here early to watch the sun rise over the surrounding sugar cane fields.