Daijiworld News Network – Beltangady (AF)

Beltangady, Oct 18: The Mahamastakabhisheka for Bahubali is scheduled to be held from January 28, 2007 to February 2, 2007, informed Dharmastala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade while addressing a press meet here on Tuesday October 17.

The Mahamastakabhisheka will be organised for the welfare of people and will signify universal peace. Vardhamanasagarji Maharaj from Madhya Pradesh will lead the ceremonies, he said.

Informing about the installation of the Bahubali statue, he said that the it was installed on February 2, 1982 by him, as per the wish of Ratnaverma Heggade and Ratnamma Heggade. The statue was sculpted by Renjala Gopalkrishna Shenoy and work on it had begun way back in 1966. The last Mastakabhisheka was held in 1995, he added.

Elaborating on the celebrations, he said that saints from all over the country will take part in the event and leaders and representatives of various religions will participate in the Bhavaikya Sammelana, Vidwat Sammelana and Sarvadharma Sammelana. Discourse from jainamunis will be held throughout the course of the event.

The celebrations will also mark the silver jubilee of Sri Kshetra Dharmastala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP).

Heggade further said that talks will be held with chief minister H D Kumaraswamy seeking government support for the event. State as well as national leaders will be invited on the occasion.

Karkala Jainmath seer Lalithakirti Bhattaraka Swami, Moodbidri Charukirti Bhattaraka Swami, Mastakabhisheka committee chief convenor Surendra Kumar, coordinators Prof S Prabhakar D Harshendra Kumar and B Yashoverma were present.