The next Mahamastakabhisheka of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelgola will be held in the first week of February in 2018. The managing committee of the Shravanabelgola Digambara Jain Mutt, which met under the chairmanship of Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamy on Saturday, decided the dates.
The event is held once in 12 years. Last time, it was held in 2006. Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami, in a press conference here on Sunday, announced the details of the event. “The event will be held for over one month, including major religious programmes for about nine days. Now we have decided to begin the event in the first week of February 2018. In the next meetings, we will decide on the daily events of a monthlong programme”, he added.
The 57-feet statue of Bahubali was installed in 981 A.D., the year when the first Mahamastakabhisheka was held under the leadership of Chavundaraya, the prime minister in the Ganga Dynasty. Since then the event has been held once in 12 years. The 87th edition of the event was last held in 2006.
Railway work
The seer said the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister would be invited for the programme. “In the past, Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers have taken part in the event. This time also we will invite them for the event”, he added. The mutt has decided to urge the government to implement certain developmental works ahead of the mega event. One such project is the Hassan-Bengaluru railway line that has remained incomplete for several years now. “Our committee wants the project to be completed before the Mahamastakabhisheka begins. We will start writing letters to Ministries concerned and get the works done with the help of the people’s representatives”, he added.
Responding to a comment that the Mahamastakabhisheka was a waste of money, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami said the money spent on anointing the statue was lesser than the funds utilised for developmental works in the name of the event. “We hardly spent Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 lakh for anointing the statue. When the event was held last time, Shravanabelgola got underground drainage, roads were improved, drinking water supply scheme was implemented and bus stand was constructed. The event helps the public in these many ways. Moreover, the event brings people of all religions together and upholds our tradition and culture”, he said.
The Jain mutt has decided to urge the government to implement certain development works ahead of the mega event
