Pre-dating the glorious Vijayanagara Empire is the colossal, rock-cut monolithic statue of the Jain saint Gomateswara. He stands bolt upright in the posture of meditation known as kayotsarga, with feet firm on the earth, arms held downwards but not touching the body, creepers entwined around his motionless legs, and smiling faintly. At 17m, this is the tallest statue in India.
The Vijayanagara Conference consists of:
