Shivagiri, Vijayapura

Shivagiri is a devotional site in Vijayapura built around an 85-foot statue of Shiva. Raised by the T.K. Patil Banakatti Charitable Trust, the figure weighs about 1,500 tonnes and is counted among the tallest images of Shiva in India and in the world. It was opened to the public on Shivaratri.

Sculptors from Shivamogga spent 13 months carving the statue to designs prepared by architects from Bengaluru. A small Shivalinga placed below the figure is where devotees offer prayers and seek blessings. Beside the shrine is a park with quiet corners and amusement rides for children, so the site draws families as well as pilgrims.