ANOINTMENT: The statue of Bahubali being anointed with sandalwood paste and `kashaya.' — Photo: M.A. Sriram

R. Krishna Kumar

and Muralidhara Khajane

SHRAVANABELAGOLA (HASSAN DISTRICT): It was a sight for the gods to behold as the visual splendour of the Mahamastakabhisheka unfolded to a sea of humanity, which danced in rapture at the changing colours of Gomateshwara atop the Vindhyagiri Hill to give a spectacular start to the first grand anointment of the new millennium.

The 58-ft-tall world's largest monolithic statue was the cynosure of all eyes as the grey-coloured granite figure turned reddish-brown only to appear in a dazzling white before it turned to golden-yellow.

Riot of colours

The riot of colours and the exoticism associated with the event held the devotees spellbound as the cascading milk, vermilion, tender coconut, turmeric, saffron and different varieties of ashwagandha enveloped the magnificent Gomateshwara, whose benign smile seemed appreciative of the event.

Devotees cutting across religious beliefs, who witnessed the event, felt blessed at the feet of Lord Bahubali, whose message of peace and non-violence holds good even today.

The pilgrims' progress to the Vindhyagiri Hill located 3,300 ft above sea level commenced at the crack of dawn as young and old wound their way up the 624 steps chanting "Bhagavan Bahubali Gomateshwara ki Jai" at every step, paused for breath, and made their way up again to catch a glimpse of what is for many a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The anointing ceremony began at 10.35 a.m. with abhisheka and offerings of water and tender coconut. The first abhisheka was performed by Ashok Patni of Rajasthan, who was accorded this privilege for having donated Rs.1.08 crore for the construction of the Bahubali Children's Hospital. The first part of the elaborate ritual continued till 2.15 p.m. and the devotees rejoiced in the pious act of making divine offerings and spent time in prayer and meditation.

But the spectacle for which Mahamastakabhisheka is renowned began soon afterwards, and the 5,000-strong devotees privileged to be near the statue were thrilled along with the thousands of others who milled around the Vindhyagiri Hill and Chandragiri Hill to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. A unique feature of the event was the use of "Iksharasa," reckoned to have been first partaken by Bahubali after his enlightenment.

This signalled the commencement of the colourful event that turned out to be celestial in its grandeur and intensity.

As the anointment ceremony unfolded, Shravanabelagola became a picture of oriental ritual as described by travellers of yore. The presence of over 160 Jain monks from across the country added to the ambience.

In all, 108 kalashas, 500 tender coconuts, 300 kalashas of Ikshurasa, 300 kalashas of milk, 100 kg of milled rice, 25 kg of sandalwood paste, 25 kg of turmeric paste and other ingredients were offered to the Lord of the Vindhyagiri with the grand finale for the day being the showering of petals brought from six countries. The "sacred bath" culminated with the setting sun bathing the statue in a red hue.

Located 120 km from Bangalore, Shravanabelagola became prominent when the first empire builder of India, Chandagupta Maurya, abdicated the throne, embraced Jainism and came down to Shravanabelagola with the Jain pontiff Shrutikevali Bhadrabahu in the 3rd Century B.C. Like a true Jaina, he fasted to attain salvation.

It was between 978 A.D. and 993 A.D that the present statue was conceived by the commander-in-chief of the Ganga dynasty, Chamundaraya. According to the Jain tradition, the first great anointment of the statute took place in 981 and this is the 86th Mahamastakabhisheka.

Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji supervised the conduct of the Mahamastakabhisheka in the presence of Sri Vardhaman Sagar Muni and Acharya Gunanandhi Muni.

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