Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Oct 17: Former MP, Karnataka government’s representative at New Delhi, and working president of Venoor Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka Committee, V Dhananjaya Kumar, informed that preparations are under way to perform Mahamastakabhisheka to the 37 ft high monolithic statue of Bhagwan Bahubali in Venoor, between January 28 and February 5, 2012. He added that the procedure will be performed from 7 pm onwards on the above days. The ceremonial ablution of the statue is held once in 12 years as per custom.
Addressing a press conference at Venoor on Sunday October 16, Kumar informed that Mahamastakabhisheka of the Lord was last performed during 2000. He informed that Bhattaraka Charukeerti Panditacharyavarya Swamiji of Moodbidri Jain Mutt and Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, will guide the programmes.
Providing details of different religious rituals being held on this occasion, Dhananjaya said that wooden platform will be built for facilitating devotees to take part in the programme and pour tender coconut, milk, sandalwood paste etc on the statue. He added that various pitchers grouped under different categories, will be auctioned to generate revenue, and a number of cultural and religious programmes depicting cultural richness and spreading message of peace, sacrifice, non-violence etc will be held during the above period. Various leaders including state Chief Minister and Governor will be participating in the programmes, he revealed.
The state government has released two crore rupees as grant for the construction of the platform. There are plans to undertake drinking water project for Venoor and nearby villages at a cost of Rs 25 crore in memory of the Mahamastakabhisheka, and a proposal entailing investment of Rs 29 crore to develop roads of the district has been submitted to the government, he said.
Sri Charukeerti Swamiji, D Harshendra Kumar, Dr Padmaprasad Ajila representing the Aladangady lineage of kings which installed the statue, chief whip of the opposition in the assembly, Abhay Chandra Jain, committee secretary, Gunapal Jain, and Dr B P Indra were present at the press conference.