The Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola, which conducts the head anointment of the Gomateshwara Statue — Mahamastakabhisheka, is expected to raise donations up to ₹150 crore by offering kalashas (holy vessels) to devotees participating in the event. This is the amount the mutt will get if all kalashas are offered at the rates fixed.
The rates of the kalashas, except those meant for the first day, have been circulated by the organising committee of the event privately. A copy of the price chart is with The Hindu . The anointment will be held between February 17 and 25. The number of kalashas fixed for the first day is 108, while the rest of the days, it will be 1,008 each. The amount for the first kalasha on the first day will be very high, according to sources in the mutt. The price of the remaining kalashas of the first day will be decided in consultations with devotees.
May come to over 8000 kalashas
“The mutt might get nearly ₹150 crore if all kalashas are offered at the fixed price. There will be more than 8,000 kalashas for the whole event,” an official said.
However, the subcommittee appointed by the mutt to allot kalashas have denied this. Ashok Sethi, a convener of the committee, said: “So far, we have hardly got ₹10 crore by offering kalashas. Chances of getting ₹150 crore is unimaginable.” When he was asked how much the committee was expecting by was of offering kalashas, he said: “It’s too early to give a figure. It will be known once the event is over. Last time, we got only ₹5 crore.”
The State government has allocated ₹175 crore towards hospitality, construction of guest houses, scaffolding atop Vindhyagiri and other works. Of that, ₹75 crore is being spent on temporary accommodation. However, the mutt is allowed to raise funds by offering kalashas. In fact, a senior officer of Hassan raised the issue in a meeting and questioned the logic behind allowing the religious institution to raise funds. The officer was silenced by representatives of the mutt stating that it had been the practice for years. However, when The Hindu contacted, the officer refused to comment.
The 58-feet tall Gomateshwara was installed by Chavundaraya, the commander-in-chief of Ganga Rulers, in 982 AD. Since then, the head anointment of the statue is held once in 12 years.
