The Mahamastakabhisheka for Lord Bahubali at Ratnagiri in Dharmasthala from February 9 to February 18 will revolve around Bahubali Panchamaha Vaibhava that gives a deeper view of Bahubali.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade told reporters at Dharmasthala on Wednesday that senior Jain munis, Vardhamana Sagarji and Pushtadanta Sagarji, would guide the three-day anointment rituals from February 16. About the Panchamaha Vaibhava, Mr. Heggade said that Jains in general know about the life of Bahubali, while the Vaibhava, spread over five days from February 11, would offer a deeper view of the Lord, from his youth to self-realisation of truth, to generation next. Panchamaha Vaibhava is a change from tradition, Mr. Heggade noted and said that Mahamastakabhisheka is usually offered to the Lord after the traditional Panchakalyana Programme of Jain Tirthankaras. He said that the two senior Acharyas and Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka of Sri Kshetra Shravanabelagola have permitted the Heggades to organise religious and cultural programmes — Panchamaha Vaibhava.
Both the Acharyas would be visiting Dharmasthala along with their disciples. While it is the second Mahamastakabhisheka at the Kshetra for Vardhaman Sagarji, it would be the first for Pushtadanta Sagarji. These Acharyas would also lead the Santha Sammelan, a multi-religious meet scheduled on February 9 to spread the message of social amity, Mr. Heggade said.
The Aagrodhaka procession after special puja at the Sri Chandranatha Swami Basadi on February 9 will kick off the rituals while the Mahamastakabhisheka would start at 8.45 a.m. on February 16 with 1,008 punyamruta kalashas. The Heggade family would offer the first Mahamastakabhisheka followed by other Jain devotees.
