The fourth Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations at Dharmasthala ended on Sunday with Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Jain Mutt, Moodbidri, performing the last rituals of this Mahamasthakabhisheka with 1,008 kalashas. The anointment of the 39-ft high monolithic statue of Bahubali, a Jain sage, began on February 16, 2019.
Earlier, the Mahamastakabhisheka, held once in every 12 years, of Bahubali has been performed thrice — in 1982, 1995 and 2007. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be performed after 12 years from now. Devotees from Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and some parts of Karnataka participated in Sunday’s Mahamastakabhisheka.
The Mahamastakabhisheka ended with the customary rituals such as Maha Mangalarati, Pushpa Vrusti, Shanti Mantra Pathana, Bimba Shuddi and Okuli.
D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala, said that non-violence, endurance and sacrifice propagated by Bahubali should inspire all to lead a meaningful life. The stone sculpture symbolises renunciation, self-control and subjugation of the ego as the first step towards salvation, he said.