Venoor is a small town in South Kanara District of Karnataka state situated on the bank of river Gurupur. Venoor though a small town was once a great seat of Jainism. It was the capital of the Ajila Dynasty and one of the most prominent Kings of them.
Thimmanna Ajila built a colossus of Gommateshwara 35 feet high in 1604 A.D. He was a direct descendant of Chamundaraya, who built one at Shravanbelgola. Venoor colossus is the shortest of all the three Gommateshwara’s within the radius of 250 km around it. It also stands in an enclosure, on the same pattern as that of Shravanbelgola.
The Kings of Ajila Dynasty ruled here from 1154 A.D. to 1786 A.D.
Main Temple & Idol :
A 35 high colossus of Gommateshwara (Lord Bahubali) is standing here on a raised pedestal without any support. It is a nice specimen. The features are well cut and are in proportion. The statue is really wonderful & agreeable.