Kalala Devi

Chamundaraya’s mother, Kaalaladevi, was the wife of Mahabalayya. She was deeply interested in religious activities, including the study of scriptures, serving gurus, performing rituals, and practicing self-discipline. During a study session with her guru, Acharya Ajitsena, she learned about the story of Bharata and Bahubali from the Mahapurana, which mentions a 525-feet tall statue of Bahubali built by Bharata. This story sparked her curiosity, and she decided to give up milk until she could see such a statue.

To fulfill his mother’s wish, Chamundaraya built the statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola. Out of her love for her son and her devotion to Bahubali, she often referred to Chamundaraya affectionately as “Gommata” after Bahubali. Ajitsenacharya and Nemichandra Siddhanta Chakravarti were the spiritual guides of their family. Kaalaladevi was a great woman who instilled strong values in her children.