President Kovind inaugurates Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka
Bengaluru, (DHNS): Mahamastakabhisheka, the grand festival of anointing the statue of Bahubali in Shravanabelagola every 12 years, was inaugurated on Wednesday by President Ram Nath Kovind.
The crowd cheered as the President began his address in Kannada saying ‘sahodara sahodarigalige nanna namaskaragalu’.
“Karnataka must hold a special attraction for me as I find that in the six months since I became President, I have visited this state for the third time,” Kovind said. He said that Jainism laid the seeds for a tradition of peace and non-violence in the country and the importance of these values is slowly increasing..
“Jain tradition forms the threads which hold the country together. I am happy to be part of this tradition’s festival,” he said. First Lady Savita Kovind also took part in the ceremony.
Jain munis and sadhvis from across the country and thousands of devotees were present for the inaugural. The festival was opened with the unveiling of a replica of the monolith statue, accompanied by a crescendo of bells, horns and drums. The crowds called out cheers for Bahubali.
Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami, head of the Shravanabelagola Mutt, is leading the festival for the fourth time since 1981, which marked 1,000 years since the first Mahamastakabhisheka.
“People have been eagerly waiting, first for 2018 to come and then for February 7. The occasion is finally here,” Charukeerthi Swami said, addressing the gathering. The seer thanked the state government for providing infrastructure for the event and support for a Prakrit University, the district administration and Union government.
Addressing the audience in Hindi, Charukeerthi Swami said that as a tradition, the festival is inaugurated by the President. In 2006, it was inaugurated by A P J Abdul Kalam and in 1993 by Shankar Dayal Sharma.
Acharya Shri Vardhaman Sagar Muni Maharaj, who will lead the rituals for the third time, recounted the story of Bahubali and his message to the world of sacrifice, peace and non-violence.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government was lucky to get a chance to participate in the organisation of the festival. He said the district administration and ministers have tried to ensure that devotees have the best amenities.
“There is violence and hate among people of different religions. It is okay to be proud of your religion but it is not right to hate other religions,” he said. He urged people to not just remember the values propagated by Bahubali but adopt principles of peace and non-violence in their lives.
The anointment for the Bahubali statue as part of the Mahamastakabhisheka will begin on February 17 and will continue till February 25.
