Arrangements in full swing for Mahamastakabhisheka

Dharmastala, Karnataka, Jan 19 (UNI) This tiny, picturesque temple town is gearing up to hold the century's first Mahamastakabhisheka of the monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali atop 'Ratnagiri' hillock here on February two.

Preparations were on in full swing to hold the mega event for the third time after 1982 and 1995. Arrangements were being made to accommodate the large numbers of devotees expected at all nearby choultries, schools and colleges.

Briefing newspersons about the ongoing arrangements, Sri Kshetra Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, whose late father Ratnavarma Heggade had installed the 39-ft statue in 1982, said the steel scaffolding work around the statue for smooth climbing during the annointation ceremony was expected to be completed in the next couple of days.

He said arrangements were being made for closed circuit TV livecast of 'Panchakalyana Mahotsav of Sri Parshwanathswamy' and Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali.

Several eminent artistes, including actor Shobana, playback singers Anuradha Paudwal and S P Balasubramaniam, would perform in the cultural events to be held in the evenings from January 28. A State-level exhibition with over 200 stalls had also been arranged, he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Vardhamana Sagar Muni Maharaj, under whose guidance various ceremonies begin from January 28 prior to the Mahamastakabhisheka, arrived here last evening from Hassan along with nine other munies, nine Jain aryakas, kshullaka and kshullake.

He was accorded a ceremonious welcome by Dr Heggade and his family.

As part of the seven-day Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations, 'Aradhana' of Chhaturvimshathi Thirthankaras was held on Wednesday last at the eighth century Sri Chandranathaswamy Jina Mandir at Nelyadibeedu, near here, with special prayers for the success of the event.

UNI