The Hindu : Karnataka News : Grand Mastakabhisheka at Gomatagiri

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 01, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Grand Mastakabhisheka at Gomatagiri

By Our Staff Correspondent

Mastakabhisheka being performed to the statue of Gomateshwara near Mysore on Sunday.

GOMATAGIRI (MYSORE DT.), OCT. 31. The statue of Gomateshwara came alive in different hues, and devotional fervour reached a crescendo at the 55th annual Mastakabhisheka that was celebrated here on Sunday.

As the devotees performed the Mastakabhisheka from the overhead platform, the cascading flow of water mixed with turmeric, sandal paste, kumkum, and tender coconut enveloped the five-metre tall black granite statue lending it a brilliant sparkle that sent the large gathering into raptures.

An annual feature that draws hundreds of devotees from Mysore and surrounding areas, the Mastakabhisheka was supervised by Devendrakeerthi Bhattarakaswamiji of Hombuja Jaina Math.

Ritual

The priests chanted hymns and conducted the preliminary ritual to build up the momentum even as the devotees continued to line up the steps leading to the top of the hillock on which the statue is located, to witness the grand finale.

For many devotees, the Mastakabhisheka was only a run up to the grand Mahamastakabhisheka, which will be held at Shravanabelagola in February next. A significant aspect of the Gomateshwara here is its striking resemblance to its more famous counterpart at Shravanabelagola. The devotees have a strong belief that the statue at Gomatagiri was sculpted by the artistes who sculpted the statue at Shravanabelagola. They also believe it to be more than 1,000-years-old.

Art historians point out that the Gomatagiri statue is an early Vijayanagar creation and at least 700-years-old. The granite structure is flanked by images of serpents raising their head from anthills that are engraved on the stone. The entire region was a strong bastion of Jainism even in the third century B.C. There are historical evidences to prove that emperor Chandragupta Maurya abdicated the throne in favour of his son, Bindusara, and migrated to Shravanabelagola with the Jain saint, Bhadrabahu.

Statue neglected

Though Gomatagirikshetra comes alive during the annual Mastakabhisheka, the statue is neglected. It has developed cracks in the absence of conservation efforts. The statue bears the brunt of vibrations caused by explosives used for quarrying. Prabha Mandal, president of the Sri Gomatagiri Kshetra Seva Samithi, who is leading the movement to conserve the statue, has sought assistance from the Government to develop the pilgrim centre. The samithi plans to establish an institution and develop the place by establishing a medical centre, a school, and facilities for pilgrims and tourists.

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