Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, member of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, on Friday scaled Vindhyagiri and performed Jalabhisheka to Bahubali statue.
Speaking to media persons, Yaduveer said, there is a special connection between the erstwhile Mysuru royal family and Shravanabelagola. "Earlier, the Wadiyar kings used to attend the Mahamastakabhisheka festival. I have continued the tradition. Performing abhisheka was a memorable moment and I am happy to be here," he said.
The then maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and prince Jayachamaraja Wadiyar had attended the Mahamastakabhisheka on February 26, 1940. Later, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar performed the abhisheka on March 5, 1953.
Jain seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami led the 1,008 kalasha abhisheka on Friday, followed by milk, tender coconut, sugarcane juice and others.
Art expo a big hit
The art expo, being held as part of the festival, is drawing a large number of people, at the exhibition at Shravanabelagola. The paintings of Bhagawan Bahubali, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami, Jalayuddha and Mallayuddha between Bharatha-Bahubali and other works are on display.
Several paintings showcasing the culture and tradition of Jainism, sculptures, Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri, and on Mahamastakabhisheka are in good demand.
The seer of Shravanabelagola mutt inaugurated the art expo by drawing a picture. The expo will be open till the end of February. Later, the paintings will be displayed at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Hubballi and Madhya Pradesh, said the organisers.
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