Mahamasthakabhisheka

Place or Community:

The Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava of Lord Bahubali, a festival of the Jains, is held once in every 12 years at Shravanabelagola.

Month:

The latest edition of Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava of Lord Bahubali was held in the month of January and February, 2006.

Description:

Mahamasthakabhisheka or the head anointing ceremony is held once in 12 years. It takes place in the 57 feet high monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola. In the festival that was held in 2006, the head anointing ceremony took place for nine days instead of the usual one day. This event was held under the leadership of His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of Shravanabelagola.

Of all the numerous events and poojas that are performed during the festival, the Mahamasthakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali is the main attraction.

In 2006, 8th February on the first day of the abhishekha Lord Bahubali was anointed with 108 kalashas or pots.

The statue was bathed with 504 kalashas on the second day while 1008 kalashas were used for the rest of the days.

Each day started with the Panchamrutha abhisheka and was followed by the kalasha abhisheka. There were rest days in between when special poojas were performed at the Jain mutt.

Poojas and aradhanas:

Sarvatobadhra Mahapooja was performed on 11th Feabruary, 2006 in Bhandari Basadi. This pooja was performed by 24 Indras to the 24 Tirthankar idols simultaneously at the ancient Bhandari Basadi.

Things like 24 umbrellas, 24 arghyas and 64 chamaras were offered to the idols. Sahasrakoota Jinabimba Abhishekha Mahapooja comprises of 1008 idols of Jain Tirthankaras moulded into a single metal block.

It is also one of the main attractions for devotees to Shravanabelagola. During Saraswathi Jinavani Shastra Mahapooja, the original script of Dhavala, Jayadhavala, Mahadhavala, Tiloyapannatti, Samayasara, Gommatasara, Mahapurana and other religious works are kept on a silver altar. Some of the latest religious books are released during this occasion.

During the whole event many poojas and aradhanas are conducted. In the latest edition vidhanas such as the Chaturvimshati Tirthankara Aradhana, Aradhana, Kalyana Mandira Aradhana, Shanthichakra Aradhana, Rishi Mandala, Navagraha Aradhana, Bhaktamara Aradhana, Kalikundala Aradhana, and Shanthinatha vidhan were performed under the leadership of Acharya 108 Sri Vardhamanasagarji Muni Maharaj, Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and other Munis and Bhatarakas.

The Munis pray for world peace and harmony during all their poojas and aradhanas. The mahamasthakabhisheka gains impetus with the beginning of panchakalyanak. The rituals involved in panchakalyanak are Nandi Mangala, Kankana Bandhana, Indra Pratishta, and Vastu Vidhan.

Several cultural programmes and exhibitions were held during the mahamasthakabhisheka in 2006. The stalls in the exhibition were devoted to various themes related to Jainism. Different state and central government organizations also took part in this exhibition.