MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKAM
Gomteswara-Shravanabelagola in February 2006

INTRODUCTION

 The Mahamastakabhishekam is an important Jain festival held once every twelve (12) years in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, India. The date of the festival is 08 to 19 Feb 2006.


ABOUT CITY (SHRAVANBELAGOLA - KARNATAKA- INDIA)

This is one of the most popular Jain pilgrimage center in South India and is known for its colossal monolithic statue of Gomateswara, on top of a hill. Sravanelagola is at a distance of 93km from Mysore. The nearest railhead is Hassan (49Km). Belur is at a distance of 86 km from here.

The temple to Gomateswara is built on top of hill, in between two hills - at a height of 3000 feet above sea level. A flight of 500 steps provides access to this temple. View of the neighborhood from the top of the hilll are spectacular. The image of Gomateswara is an awe inspiring one. Carved out of a single block of granite, this 50 feet high statue, stands majestically on op of the hill. This image was created during the period of Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King Rajamalla. The neighboring area abounds in Jaina bastis and several images of the Jaina Theerthankaras.


FESTIVAL

The Great Mahamastakabhishekam Festival of shravanabelagola Karnataka which  is held once in 12 years, when the image of Gomateswara is bathed in milk, curds, ghee, saffron, and gold coins.

The first head anointing (Mahamasthakabhishekham) ceremony of this century of Bhagawan (Lord) Sri Bahubali of Shravanabelagola will be celebrated in the month of February 2006. This historical event bears great testimony since the time of installation of the statue by Chavundaraya the commander in chief of Gangas of Talakadu on March 13, 981 A.D. This 57 feet monolithic statue is situated atop the Vindhyagiri hill. The ritual of Mahamasthakabhishekha is conducted only once in every 12 years from time immemorial. This event attracts the devotees, tourists and pilgrims in large number from different parts of the world.

The Mahamasthakabhishekha celebration is held as a symbol of world peace and coexistence. Lakhs of devotees of Bahubali, acharyas and eminents from all over the world will participate in this historic event. This religious event is famous as "Grand Festival of Shravanabelagola". On the day of the Mahamasthakabhishekha (Feb, 08), the area in front of the statue presents a glorious sight. One hundred and eight "Kalashas" are arranged in a geometrical pattern. Each port has a coconut with mango leaves tied to it with a holy colored thread. These pots are used for anointing the monolith statue of Gomateswara.

On February 09, as many as 504 Kalashas will be used for anointing the statue and on Feb. 10, 1008 Kalashas will be used.

On February 11, the Maha Puja for Saravathobhadra Tirthankara will be held at Bhadara Basadi and again 1,008 Kalashas will be used for Mahamasthakabhishekha, on February 12 & 13.

Sahasrakoota Jinabimba abishekha maha puja will be held on February 14 and Mahamasthakabhishekha will be held on February 15 & 16 by using 1,008 Kalashas. Saraswathi Jinavani puja will be held on February 17 and Mahamasthakabhishekha will be repeated on February 18 and 19 by offering the Kalashas.

Rituals

The Abhishekha (means, praying to the Lord) as a rule should be performed every day for any image that is worshipped , but the size of Gomateshwara statue makes that impossible. Thus only the feet of the statue are washed daily in what is known as "pada paja" (means, praying the feet of the Lord"), and the Mastakabhishekha- (means, praying the face & head of the Lord) is performed occasionally. Later, the mastakabhishekha came to be termed as Mahamasthakabhishekha as it is performed at certain conjunction of the heavenly bodies at intervals of several years. The ritual is impressive and colorful. From a specially erected scaffolding, priests, pour hundreds of pots containing curd, milk, honey, vermilion, coconut water, turmeric paste & even gold and precious jewels over the statues head, makes this the most splendid head-anointing ceremony in the world.

History

SHRAVANABELAGOLA has a 57 feet, blue-colored idol of Bhagwan Bahubali in the Kayotsarga posture. Chavundarya, a general and a minister of the Ganga King Rachamalla engraved this image of Gomateshwara in about 981 A.D. A flight of 650 steps carved into the rocky face of the Indragiri hill, takes you to this awe inspiring figure carved out of a single piece of stone. This prominent Jain pilgrimage center is home to Asia's largest monolithic statue, looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri hill. There is a pond and two strong hills, called Chamdragiri and Indragiri. This place has about 500 inscriptions, and some of them are recording death by starving by Jaina ascetics and Laymen.

MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKAM FESTIVAL -  Gomteswara-Shravanabelagola in February 2006 - For more details contact us