Prez inaugurates Mahamastakabhiskeha of Lord Bahubali

President Ram Nath Kovind today set in motion the Mahamastakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony of the monolithic statue of Lord Gommateshwara Bahubali, a ritual observed once in 12 years.
The ceremony is an integral part of the ancient and composite Jain tradition at the Jain pilgrimage centre here.
Bahubali was one of the 24 Teerthankars of Jain sect.
Hailing the rich Jain tradition around Shravanabelagola and the towering 57 feet tall statue, the president said Shravanabelagola has been a centre of religion, spirituality and Indian culture.
It had been sending across the message of welfare to the mankind, he said.

Kovind said the peace and benevolence reflected in the millennium old monolith statue of Bahubali sympathises with the ailing humanity distraught with stress and terrorism.

The statue is classic example of the country's rich culture, architecture, artistry and workmanship, he said.
By building this figurine, artisans breathed life into a lifeless granite rock. 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' (non-violence is the ultimate duty) is completely reflected in this image, Kovind said.
"The creepers carved on Bahubali's statue are not just an indicator of his intense ascetic life, they also show how he was one with the nature and was away from pretences," he said.

Bahubali chose the path of renunciation instead of becoming a ruler, the president said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Jain tradition extols the values of non-violence, tolerance, unity and love for all.
He said the message of Bahubali assumes more significance in present times when there is rise in violence in the name of caste and religion.
According to the head priest of the Jain pilgrimage centre, Charukeerti Bhattaraka, there has been a tradition of the President of India inaugurating the Mahamastakabhisheka.
The celebrations will touch its peak from February 17 and will go on till February 26, he said.

Organisers estimate the arrival of at least 40 lakh pilgrims at Shravanabelagola in the next 20 days.
Located between the two hillocks of Vindyagiri and Chandragiri, Shravanabelagola has been a Jain pilgrimage centre for the past 2,500 years.
The 2018 ceremony is the 88th in the series that began in 981 A.D during the Ganga dynasty.
The statue of Lord Bahubali, son of the first Jain tirthankara Adinath, located on Vindyagiri hill here, was carved from a single rock and is said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue.
A host of Jain Digambar Munis, Acharyas, Kshullakas and Jain Ganini Aryikas led by Muni Vardhamana Sagar and Muni Pushpadanta Sagar were present at the inaugural ceremony.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to make the Mahamastakabhisheka a grand event.
Thousands of tents have been erected around two km from the two hillocks, dotted with numerous temples.
Makeshift toilets have been set up across this temple town and the administration has ensured that there is sufficient supply of food, water, shelter, electricity and medical aid during the next 20 days, officials said.
The government has earmarked Rs 300 crore for the entire event, they said.
At least 5,000police personnel and 2,000 home guards will be deployed in addition to plainclothes men for security duty.
Deputy commissioner ofHassan district, Rohini Sindhur, said a new German technology has been used this time forthe Mahamastakabhisheka.