Bahubali's Mahamastakabhisheka

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Dharmasthala, Karnataka, Dec 28 (UNI) This famous temple town, a confluence of Hindu, Jain and Shaivite pilgrim spots, is gearing up for the century's first Mahamastakabhisheka (anointment) of the 39-ft-high magnificent monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali atop Ratnagiri hillock here, to be held on February 2 next year.

Preparations were on in full swing in the town, surrounded by picturesque Western Ghats, for the smooth conduct of the third anointment, after the ones in December 1975 and February 1995. The mega religious event, being held after a gap of 12 years, would begin on January 28 and culminate with the anointment on February two with 1,008 kalashas (pots).

Briefing newspersons about the arrangements here on Tuesday, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade said arrangements were being made to accommodate about 60,000 devotees expected to descend here from across the country and abroad to witness the ceremony, organised for religious harmony and world peace. Besides, arrangements were being made at 'Bahubali Vihar', where the main event would be held, to accommodate 5,000 people.

He said the anointing would be held under the guidance of Acharya Sri Vardhamana Sagar Muni Maharaj and Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola. About 20 Jain monks, including famous Jain muni Sri Taruna Sagar Muni Maharaj, would take part in it.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and several Ministers would take part in the ceremony and invitation had also been extended to Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekawat.

The statue was the second tallest in the State after the 57-ft-high monolithic statue at Shravanabelagola. Dr Heggade said that for five days from January 28, 'Panchakalyana Mahotsav' of Bhagwan Parshwanath Thirthankar would be held, which included religious events like 'Garbhavatharana', 'Janmabhisheka', 'Balaleelamahotsav', 'Samrajya Vaibhav', 'Rajyabhara', 'Vairagya', 'Deekshavidhi', 'Kevelajnana' and culimnate with 'Nirvana Kalyan Mahotsav' on February 1.

He said on the occasion, a week-long special exhibition had been arranged with the involvement of all Government departments. A 'Bhavaikya Sammelan' would be held on February one in which scholars from different parts of the country would participate. During the week-long festival, cultural programmes with the participation of renowned actors such as Hemamalini and Shobhana and eminent playback singer S P Balasubramaniam have also been arranged.

He said the Sri Kshetra had decided to announce welfare schemes to commemorate the event on the lines of the popular schemes launched in 1982 -- Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project and Rural Development and Self Employment for Institution.

Deputy Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, who was also present, said the district administration had sought a grant of Rs one crore from the State Government for providing better infrastructure facilities to the visiting devotees. One hundred special buses would be arranged from different parts of the State to Dharmasthala during the occasion.

Superintendent of Police B Dayanand said adequate police bandobust would be made during the event, with the deployment of additional fire tenders, police force and home guards.