Mahamastakabhisheka held amid much fervour in Karkala

With the Jain priests led by Shree Vardhaman Indra annointing the 42-feet-tall monolith statue of Lord Bahubali, erected atop the Bahubali Betta at Karkala in the year 1432, with water (Jalabisheka) at 8.20 pm on Wednesday, the Mahamastakabhisheka, held once in 12 years, began with great religious fervour.

Amidst chanting of hymns and singing of bhajans, thousands of Jains, who had come from all over the country, witnessed the age-old Jain traditional  rituals.After the ceremonial bathing of the Lord with 108 kalashas (pots) of water (Jala Abhisheka) from the specially constructed scaffolding, the monolith was then annointed with grains (Dhanya Abhisheka), which was followed by coconut water and sugarcane juice.

Subsequently, milk from kalashas was showered on the Lord, which was followed by the clouds of white rice and turmeric powder called ‘Kalkachurna Abhisheka’. This was followed by ‘Kashaya Abhisheka’. Later, a mixture of liquid turmeric and red sandalwood paste was poured on the Lord. Next was the libation of Ashtagandha - a combination of eight scented substances - followed lastly by a shower of flower petals. 

The splendid ceremony ended with the washing of the Gommata with the clear waters of the ‘poorna kumbhas’ and the arthi of lit lamps. Except for ‘Ksheerabhisehka’ (using milk), for all other Abhishekas 500 litres of the relevant ingredient were used for the anointment. Around 750 litres of milk was used for the Ksheerabhisheka. Prior to annointing of the monolith, priests offered prayers to Lord Neminatha Swami and Shiva Devi in Neminatha Basadi, which was followed by other rituals.

Interestingly, each ingredient used in the Mahamastakabisheka has its own significance.

While water is meant to cleanse, sandalwood would spread fragrance of Bahubali’s great virtues, milk is a symbol of purity, sugarcane relieves hunger and churna beautifies. There is a belief that those witnessing the glorious ceremony would also be blessed and cleansed as Bahubali is considered as a supreme symbol of sacrifice, non-violence and compassion.

Though Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala was scheduled to inaugurate the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony, he did not turn up. In his absence, Urban Development Minister Vinaykumar Sorake inaugurated the celebrations while Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade presided.