Shravanabelagola, January 22, 2006: The new millennium’s first Mahamastakabhisheka Celebration of Bhagawan Bahubali Swami began with the consecration of the statue of Bhagwan Mahaveer at the panchakalyana pendal at Sharavanabelagola.
In the dharmic rituals that began early morning with consecration of Mahaveera’s statue, which was carried from the Bhandara Basadi to the pendal in Thyagi Nagar in a grand procession with a poorna kumba features. His Holiness Acharya Vardhamana Sagar Muni Maharaj, Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and all the Jain acharyas and Mathaji’s lead the procession into the Panchakalyana Pendal.
The procession led by horses and an elephant with school children marching to the tune of drum beats behind followed by ladies attired colourfully in saffron sarees carried the mangal kumbas through the procession offering salutations to the Bhagawan, which was carried in a newly built silver palanquin. The Acharyas and other monks followed with Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and others of the mutt making the rear.
People standing on both sides of the road welcomed the procession with great reverence even as bhajanas reverberated the early morning air and the sun seemed shining welcoming the procession even as the wind wafted those in the procession in a cool morning breeze.
After the procession reached Thyagi Nagar, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka of Moodbidri and Thyagi Seva Samithi President Shripalji Gangwal unfurled the Mahamastakabhisheka flag amidst dharmic slogans.
Later Mr.Mahaveer Prasad of Assam inaugurated the Shantisagar satellite town. Nirmal Kumar Sethi, Reception committee President of Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava, Chainroop Bakliwal, Vicepresident and A.R Nirmal Kumar, Working President of Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsav also took part in the procession.
During the president’s inaugural function, simultaneous 108 kalashabhisheka was performed to the feet of Bahubali atop the Vindhyagiri hills and the same was telecast live on the gaint screen at the president’s function. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)