Karkala gears up for maha mastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali next year

MANGALORE: The Sri Jain Dharma Jeernodhara Sangha is in alacrity of starting preparations for the maha mastakabhisheka of Bhagwan Bahubali at Karkala.
Traditionally, the process of performing maha mastakabhisheka of Bhagwan Bahubali is held once every 12 years and the last such rituals were held at Karkala in 2002. A general election year has come in the way of holding the rituals this year and will now be held in the last week of January 2015.
Installed under the divine guidance of Sri Lalitakeerthi muni in 1432, the idol of Bhagwan Bahubali at 42.5 feet tall is the second largest monolith of the Lord after the one in Shravanabelagola in Hassan. Located on top of hillock in Karkala, the idol of Lord Bahubali is most frequented by tourists from all communities and the Sangha is planning to use this event to ensure that the basic infrastructure needs of the area gets a major leg up.
M N Rajendra Kumar, working president of the Sangha said the maha mastakabhisheka is a major event for the Jain community and members from across India and even abroad are expected to take part in the rituals. Overlooking nearly 18 Jain basadis at the foothill of the hillock on which the monolith is located, the place needs a major improvement in terms of infrastructure such as roads, water to sustain rush of devotees expected, he said.
The Sangha will hold its first preparatory meeting at the daanashaale of Bhagwan Sri Bahubali Pravachan Mandir at Karkala on June 29 at 10.30am under the leadership of D Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
Sri Lalithakeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya swamiji of Sri Jain Math, Karkala and all community leaders will take part in this meeting that is expected to be a brain storming session.
The exact dates of the mega event will be decided at this meeting, Kumar said adding it will be decided in consultation with the head of Sri Shravanabelagola Jain Math. The Sangha will request the state and union governments to take care of the infrastructure needs and will meet all costs related to the religious event from within the community, donors and well wishers. It will be our endeavour to hold the event in a disciplined traditional way, he noted.