Charukeerti Bhattaraka Swami of Jain Mutt visited Vindhyagiri in Shravanabelagola to inspect the construction of the scaffolding at the Gomateshwara statue and make-shift visitors’ gallery on Monday. The Public Works Department is constructing the scaffolding and visitors’ gallery at a cost of ₹11.25 crore. The scaffolding is necessary for anointment of the statue as part of Mahamastakabhisheka, scheduled for February 2018.
For the first time, German technology of ring-and-lock is being used to construct the scaffolding. The structure will accommodate nearly 6,000 people and it would include three lifts.
One lift is exclusively for the materials to be used for the holy bath of Gomateshwara statue, the other two for guests and visitors. The seer said he was happy with the progress of the scaffolding work. S. Ajit Kumar, working president of Mahamastakabhisheka National Committee, and others accompanied him.
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Mithilesh, an engineer of Layher, the company which has bagged the tender to construct scaffolding, said, “We are examining the strength of the structure by placing water containers. More than 150 workers are on the job.” The work would be completed by December-end, he added.