Devotees from different parts of the State started arriving at Dharmastala, 95 km from Mangaluru, to witness the 10-day long Mahamastakabhisheka for the monolith 39-foot high Bahubali statue. The Mahamastakabhisheka - the fourth since its installation in 1982 - had a formal beginning on Saturday various rituals performed at the Ratnagiri Hill where the statue is installed.
Following panchamruta abhishekam to the presiding deity at Shri Manjunatha temple and to Chandranatha Theerthankaras at the Chandranatha Basadi, a procession of the idols of the deity and theerthankaras was taken out from the Basadi to Ratnagiri hill. The procession was led by Chende players and musical bands. They were followed by women carrying kalasha and men chanting slokas. Sagar Muni Maharaj, Vardhamana Muni Maharaj, Lalitakeerti Bhattaraka Mahaswami from Karkala and nearly 80 Pinchadhaaris were part of the procession.
Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmastala D. Veerendra Heggade, his brothers Surendra Kumar, Harshendra Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, his sister Padmalata and other family members were also part of the procession.
After the procession, Mr. Heggade and his family members welcomed the Jain munis and priests from Jain basadis from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. Under guidance of Lalitakeerti Bhattaraka Mahaswami, Mr. Heggade and his family members performed "Toorana muhurta" that was followed by rituals for cleaning area around the statue.
In the evening activities at the Yajna shala, which is created adjacent to the statue, will begin.
Statue
A six storied scaffolding has been laid for devotees to climb and perform Mahamastakabhisheka that starts from February 16. Openings are provided at the 4th, 5th and 6th floor of the scaffolding to perform the ritual. Lift facility has also been provided. Two two-storied viewers galleries flanking the statue has been laid to help people view the proceedings.