Eighty-five year old former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda climbed up 640 steps, without the help of a ‘doli’, to participate in the Mahamastakabisheka of the Gomateshwara statue atop Vindhyagiri on Saturday. Incidentally, Mr. Deve Gowda had used a doli during the event held in 2006.
When he was offered the doli, he told the people around him, “Many monks, including Vardhamana Sagar Maharaj, have walked over thousands of kilometres to reach this place. Being natives of this land, let us climb up the hill.” C.N. Balakrishna, Shravanabelgola MLA, and his personal staff accompanied Mr. Deve Gowda, who took a break three times and reached the hilltop in 50 minutes.
R. Venkatesh, District Health Officer, offered Mr. Deve Gowda an ORS packet, but he refused it. He reached the top of the scaffolding along with his wife. Charukeerthy Bhattaraka Swami of the Jain Mutt welcomed him and gave him a holy vessel containing milk to pour over the statue. He was soon down the hill in about 30 minutes and took tender coconut water.
Speaking to presspersons after the event, Mr. Deve Gowda said Bahubali was the inspiration for his climb. “Doctors advised me against climbing the hill. But, I decided to do it on my own. Bahubali gave me the strength; I did not feel tired,” he said.
He said parties in power had a lesson to learn from Shravanabelagola. “The mutt has made arrangements for food for all by spending about ₹15 crore offered by a devotee. Another devotee has offered over ₹11 crore for the first kalasha. The mutt is spending the same amount for a hospital. The devotees of this holy place are rendering great service to humanity,” he said.
His wife Chennamma said she had advised her husband to take the doli. “But, he didn’t listen. He let me take the doli and he chose to climb,” she said.
