Shravanabelagola, the Jain pilgrimage centre, is set to welcome thousands of visitors for Mahamastakabhisheka, the head anointment of Gomateshwara statue, scheduled for February 17 to 26. The works on shelter for visitors and improvement of basic infrastructure and road connectivity are about to be completed.
For the first time, the State government has spent a whopping ₹75 crore towards temporary accommodation of visitors.
As many as 12 townships with basic necessities have come up on farm land temporarily acquired from farmers. The construction of the scaffolding for the Gomateshwara statue atop Vindhyagiri is almost completed. A Germany-based company has taken up the construction using ring-and-lock system. The structure can accommodate over 5,000 people at a time. As many as three elevators have been provided for the structure.
The rirtuals related to Mahamastakabhisheka begin on February 7, while the head anointment begins on February 17. The number of kalashas (holy vessels) to be used for the first day is 108, while for the rest of the days it will be 1,008 each.
40 lakh devotees
The Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola, which conducts the head anointment, is expecting more than 40 lakh devotees to witness the event, which is held once in 12 years. The government has provided infrastructure in tune with this expectation.
The temporary accommodation is for about 19,500 devotees and another 6,500 government officials, invitees and media professionals. “We have built 12 townships to fulfil the requirement. A separate township is meant for Jain saints and it is called Thyagi Nagar. There are separate townships for volunteers, media persons, and devotees. These places have been provided with underground drainage, drinking water, lighting, and other essentials,” said B.N. Varaprasad Reddy, special officer for the event.
Apart from temporary arrangements, the government has given importance to creating a permanent infrastructure, while making use of this occasion. It has provided ₹175 crore for the whole event.
A major portion of the funds has gone towards setting up the temporary shelter. Besides, the government has taken up upgrade of roads connecting the pilgrimage centre, rejuvenation of tanks, improving bus-stands, fencing of historical monuments, and improving drinking water facility among others.
As the event is expected to increase flow of tourists, the administration has made arrangements for additional bus facility and has provided an opportunity to hire two-wheelers to visit nearby tourist spots.
A private firm has come forward to offer bikes for ₹150 per day. Pavan Hans Ltd., a Central government enterprise, is offering 8 to 10 minute helicopter rides during the event.
