Vindhyagiri is first referred to as “Per kavappu” (Large – Kalbappu) in the 8th century, but its history begins with that of Gommateshwara in the late 10th century. A century and half later, the town were named Gommatapura, after the colossus, but the hill itself is not identified with a distinctive name. The present name “Vindhyagiri” is said to be derived from vim, spirit and dhya, meditation, as being the spot consecrated by rishis observed in the meditation on the supreme spirit.
The hill is located about 3,288 feet above mean Sea level and 438 feet above the ground. The colossus of Gommateshwara at the summit dominates the valley. Jain mythology informs us that the first colossus of Bahubali was installed by Bharata at Paudanapura, it is described to be about 525 spans (Maru – about a meter) high. The 58′ 8″ high Bahubali image on the large hill with 438′ high granite mass forming its pedestal.
Lord Gomateshwara (Lord Bahubali) was the son of the first Jain tirthankara named Lord Adinatha. Lord Adinatha had 99 other sons and when he renounced his kingdom, there was a big fight between the two brothers, Bahubali and Bharatha, over the kingdom. Bharatha lost this battle, but Bahubali did not feel any happiness on seeing his brother’s defeat. He then gave the kingdom to his brother and then attained Kevalagnana.
Sharavanabelagola is famous for the Bahubali statue which is supposed to be the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world with a height of 58 feet carved out of a single block of granite. The town of Shravanabelagola is famous with several Jain temples and historical sites. The stone statue was installed and consecrated by Chavundaraya, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief who served under the successive rulers- King Narasimha II, Rachamalla IV and Rachamalla V of the Talakad Ganga kingdom in 981 A.D. The base of the statue has inscriptions in Kannada and Tamil, as well as the oldest evidence of written Marathi, dating back to 981 AD. The inscription praises the Ganga king who funded the effort, and his general Chavundaraya, who erected the statue for his mother. Once in 12 years the place sees a surge of devotion and devotees as thousands from around India and also the world flock to the place to witness the Mahamastabhisheka.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vindhyagiri_Hill
https://www.trawell.in/karnataka/shravanabelagola
https://wikitravel.org/en/Shravanabelagola