Deccan Herald
Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Feb 21: A number of devotees witnessed ‘revolutionary’ ascetic Acharya Tarun Sagar Muni’s ‘Kesha Lochana’ ceremony (plucking the hair) at ‘Veera Bhavan,’ the house belonging to Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, where the seer has been taking rest for the past couple of days, after he fell sick in Dharmasthala, in Mangalore on Tuesday.

In fact, Acharya Tarun Sagar had invited the media persons as well to witness the life of Jain seers. The seer who started the ‘Kesha Lochana’ around 2.15 pm completed by 3.15 pm.

At first, he put ash (prepared using cow dung) on his head and started plucking his hair with his hands. The ‘Kesha Lochana’ (plucking hair) is part of Jain seer’s life.

Throughout the ceremony, devotees sang Bhajans. The last time, the seer performed ‘Kesha Lochana’ was in Bangalore about four months ago.

This is said to be the first time Mangalore is witnessing the ‘Kesha Lochana’ of any seer.

Surendra Kumar, his wife Anitha Surendra Kumar, Jain Milan President Pushparaj Jain and Jayaverma Raj Ballal among others were present on the occasion.