Mangalore (Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka), January 28, 2012: Though its going to be rush hour for the nine day mahamasthakabhisheka at Venur starting from Saturday with more than a lakh pilgrims expected to witness the mega event, organizers are confident that resources will not be stretched as improved connectivity would bail them out of this over problem of over crowding.
Bhagavan Shri Bahubali Swami Mahamasthakabhisheka Committee Executive President V Dhananjaya Kumar says the road transport, rail and air connectivity to this region has improved a lot when the mahamasthakabhisheka held in the year 2000, “Hence we do not perceive that there will be a problem for guests,” he said.
The committee has booked all rooms available, 40 in number, in Moodabidri town’s only available two lodgings which provide pure vegetarian meals. “The Mutt can accommodate about 50 persons and we have reserved 150 rooms at Dharmasthala. We do not think anybody will stay for all the nine days and most of the guests are bound to leave after the day’s rituals after a night halt,” said Kumar.
Moodabidri Jain Mutt Seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka, under whose guidance this event is being conducted, also admits that there is shortage of accommodation available and the government has done precious little from the past decade to improve facilities, apart from giving the “Jain Kashi” tag to the region. “We have consciously not given much publicity to the event. Hence people from Southern India are the most likely visitors. Moreover those coming from Hastinapur, Delhi and Mumbai will come on that day itself by flight and leave the next day,” he noted.
“To be objective, the existing infrastructure will not suffice if people in the coast plan to witness the Mahamasthakabhisheka event,” he said. The seer also notes that gone are the days when people coming for religious functions were content with minimal facilities provided by the authorities. In the year 2000, schools were declared holidays and the classrooms were made available for stay. “They need a cozy room with at least a fan, if not air conditioned rooms, clean toilets etc,” said the seer who was peeved that even clean toilets eluded visitors here.
“We will not the onus on the district administration. We will give the best of facilities for those who visit here to the best of our abilities,” added Kumar. – News Courtesy: Times of India