Dharmasthala (Karnataka), 30th January 2019: The count down has begun for Mahamastakabhisheka at 39-feet tall Bahubali at Rathnagiri in Dharmasthala. The ritual will be held between February 9 to 18.
400 to 500 people can stand in the scaolding at a time for abhisheka. Two separate lifts have been arranged to carry people and goods from the back of the scaolding. Mahapadmaprasad and Mahaveera are constructing scaolding.
As many as 100 saints, Jain Munis and Mathajis will take part in the Mahamastakabhisheka, said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade.
He said the Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in the presence of 108 Vardhamana Sagarji Muni, 108 Pushpadanta Sagara Muni, Aryika Mathaji under the guidance of Shravanabelagola Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami.
Around 50,000 devotees are likely to take part daily. The number of devotees may touch one lakh during weekends. The preparations are in underway for the Mahamastakabhisheka.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda will inaugurate saints’ convention on February 8 at 3 pm.
In the janakalyana programme, Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will take part on February 9.
“Bharatheshwara Digvijaya, an attractive procession, will be held on February 13 at 3 pm. A laser show highlighting the history of Bahubali will be held for 15 days. Devotees will be allowed to leave for Bahubali Betta even in the night,” said Heggade.
The PWD is taking up development works worth Rs 23.50 crore in Dharmasthala. Also, Rs 15 crore will be spent on four laning two-kilometre road from Nethravathi Snanaghatta to Dharmasthala Main entrance.
Funds of Rs 7.5 crore will be spent on converting 4-km stretch from Gangothri building to beautification work by the tourism department. Additional 50 KSRTC buses will be deployed from different parts of the state to Dharmasthala during Mahamastakabhisheka. – News & Photo Courtesy: Deccan Herald