Beltangady: 'Mahamastakabhisheka' of Venoor Bahubali from Jan 28

Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jan 27: Working president of Mahamastakabhisheka (ceremonial ablution) of Lord Babubali (Gomateshwara) statue comiittee in Venoor in the taluk, and former MP, Dhananjaya Kumar, said that all preparations for the Mahamastakabhisheka have been completed for the programme, which aims at general welfare of the people.

He was addressing a press conference organized on Thursday January 26 at Sri Bahubali Auditorium in Venoor.

Kumar said that this nine-day ritual will cost around Rs 1.5 crore. “On the first day, members of Aladangady Kings lineage will perform the ablution. In the succeeding days, devotees will be performing this service.

On the last day, Abhisheka will be performed by the committee on behalf of the general public. In addition, anointment of the statue with various other items as prescribed will also be done on a daily basis. A number of Jain sages and Swamijis will be coming here to take part in the programme. A ‘Pancha Kalyana’ programme will also be held, based on the life and preaching of Bahubali,” he explained.

He added that out of two crore rupees released by the state government for the development of this pilgrimage centre, safety aspects of the hillock have been taken care of, and construction of a travellers bungalow will begin here soon. “There is a plan to initiate a plan of pumping water from Phalguni river for purification and supply to Venoor and 11 other villages, at a cost of Rs 24 crore. Project estimates have been submitted to the government, and officials of the irrigation department have already inspected the site. This plan will be initiated during the Mahamastakabhisheka,” he revealed.

Dhananjaya Kumar claimed that the roads in the region could not be developed so far out of grants sanctioned for the purpose because of problems created by the climate.

Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerti Panditacharyavarya Swamiji, Dr Padmaprasad Ajila belonging to the family of kings who installed the statue, and committee general secretary, Ernodi Gunapal Jain, were present at the press conference.