The preparations for the grand anointing ceremony of the Gomateshwara statue atop Vindhyagiri have been completed. The anointing ceremony of the statue will begin at 5 a.m. on February 17. There will be religious programmes till 2 p.m. when anointment will begin.
On Tuesday, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami of Jain Mutt told reporters that water would be poured from 108 holy pots (kalashas) on the day. “The first day’s event will be over by 6 p.m. From the second day on, 1,008 holy pots will be there,” he said. ‘Jalabhisheka’ (pouring of water) will be followed by ‘Panchamrutha Abhisheka’, when milk, sugarcane juice and sandalwood paste will be poured on the statue, ‘Ashta Dravya Puje’ and ‘Maha Mangalarathi’ every day till February 25.
From the second day onwards, the ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 1.30 p.m. The public can have darshan of the statue after the religious programmes. During the anointing ceremony, Jain saints, nuns, kalasha holders and VIPs will be allowed entry to the gallery.
Procession
A day before the anointing ceremony, the seer said, a mega procession will be taken out around Vindhyagiri. “The procession will include 150 artiste troupes, 24 palanquins, five chariots and tableaux. The procession will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m.,” he said.
Devotees from across the country have provided foodgrains for the event. Six dining halls have been set up to serve food to visitors. “Tyaginagar is full with 350 people,” he said.
Modi’s visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Shravanabelagola on February 19 to take part in Mahamastakabhisheka.
Charukeerti Bhattaraka Swamy of Jain Mutt has received information about the Prime Minister’s visit. The PM, who is attending a programme in Mysuru on the day, will reach Shravanabelagola around 12.45 p.m. by helicopter. He will take part in a programme at Chavundaraya Auditorium and leave for Mysuru.
His visit will be brief. He is scheduled to start for Mysuru by 1.30 p.m., according to the mutt. He is expected to offer flowers to the Gomateshwara statue from a helicopter.
All-India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi is also expected to visit. However, his tour programme is not yet confirmed. The Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are the other dignitaries expected to drop in.
