Countdown for Mahamastakabhisheka begins

With only a few days left for the Mahamastakabhisheka ritual, the number of devotees and tourists from across the country and the globe visiting the Jain pilgrimage town has been increasing every day.

Thousands climb the Vindhyagiri hill every day to seek darshan of Lord Gomateshwara. The excited tourists can be seen capturing the huge monolithic statue and the scaffolding erected for the purpose on their mobile phones. The visitors and devotees are already planning to have a glimpse of the historic Mahamastakabhisheka from the Chikkabetta.

More than 4,500 police personnel have been deputed as a precautionary measure. Thousands of Scouts and Guides from several districts have reached Shravanabelagola.

They have been divided into batches comprising 250 students each. They will be working in shifts and 90 members have been deputed atop the hill.

Scouts and Guides from other states will also take part during the Mastakabhisheka from February 17. In all, 1,000 students from Karnataka and 2,000 students from other states will serve as volunteers.

R G Girish, Rovers Scout leader, said, the Scouts and Guides will help the weak and the senior citizens to climb the hills.

They have also been trained to tackle the situation at the time of emergencies like stampede, fire and other mishaps. They will be on service up to March 3, he said.

Rituals

As part of the Adinatha Panchakalyana ritual, Chausat Ruddhi aradhane was held as per the tradition at the Samskara Mantap on Thursday. Special pujas, abhishekas and homas were held for all the 24 Thirthankaras, under the leadership of Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami. Pujas were performed for the four "Dwarapalakas" and 10 "Dikbalakas" at the Chavundaraya Sabha Mantap on Thursday.

Samadhi

Shreyasagara Maharaj (74), from Rajasthan, who was staying in Shravanabelagola for a year now, attained samadhi, here on Thursday.

He had turned weak and had stopped consuming food and water since a week. Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji has condoled his death.