Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19, 2018 took part in the anointing celebrations of Lord Bahubali in Shravanabelagola, near Mysuru in Karnataka. This year the Mahamasthakabhishek ceremony is celebrating its 88th festival.
- This year the festival was inaugurated on 17th February. The ceremony which will be celebrated during 9 days and will end on 25 February.
- The Prime Minister also inaugurated the recently constructed steps which make the climb easier. He also inaugurated a new Bahubali general hospital at Shravanabelagola.
About the Mahamasthakabhishek ceremony
- Shravanabelagola is one of the most important Jain tirth (a sacred place) of the Jains in South India. The place derives its name from the point that Shravana or Shramana means a Jain ascetic and Belagola or Biliya Kola means white pond.
- Bhagwan Bahubali was the son of First Jain Tiirthankaras Rishabhanatha (Adinath).
- This imposing 57-foot idol of Bhagwan Bahubali who is also known as Gomateshwar is a highly venerated Jain pilgrimage. The statue of the Bhagwan Bahubali is in kayotsarga posture.
- The Mahamasthakabhishek ceremony is performed every 12 years .
- The first ever Mahamasthakabhisheka of the sacred 57 feet high monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali was performed in 981 A.D. under the guidance of Chamundaraya, the Ganga dynasty senapati.
- Devotees have to climb nearly 650 steps to reach the idol of Bhagwan Bahubali on the Vindhyagiri Hill.
