The removal of temporary townships that provided shelter to thousands of visitors during Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola has begun. A group of employees from Madhya Pradesh are busy dismantling the townships and shifting the materials.
Farmers, who gave up their land temporarily, will get it back once the work is done. The State government had built 12 temporary townships to accommodate visitors during the mega event held once in 12 years.
Except for Panchaya Kalyana Nagar and Tyagi Nagar, all tents are being removed. When The Hindu visited the townships on Friday, workers were seen loading materials at Seva Nagar, where government officers were provided with accommodation. Madhaya Nagar, meant for media people, has been removed completely.
“We have kept a portion of Panchaya Kalyana Nagar and Tyagi Nagar. Jain monks, who come from different places of the country, will stay here for a few more days. A few thousand people are expected arrive to take part in the weekend anointing ceremony. They will be accommodated at Pancha Kalya Nagar,” said Vinod Doddannavar, representative of the Jain Mutt.
Weekend ceremony
The anointment of the Bahubali statue atop Vindhyagiri has been going on, though the official programme ended on February 25. Various groups from different parts of the country have come forward to hold the ceremony. Jain Samaj from Indore has obtained the opportunity to perform anointment on Saturday.
The Jain Mutt has organised anointing ceremony for the devotees who participated in Prabhavana Rath Yatra on Sunday. Around 4,500 people from different parts of the State are expected to take part. Similarly, devotees of Kolhapur Jain Mutt will conduct the ceremony on February 5.
Many such groups have appealed to the Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola for opportunities to conduct the ceremony. Considering the requests, the Jain Mutt will hold weekend anointing ceremony until June this year.
