Sun witnesses Lord's bath

Mahamastakabhisheka held in broad daylight on Wednesday as per the seer’s wish

The devotees got an unique opportunity to take part in mahamastakabhisheka rituals that was performed during broad daylight on Wednesday, at Venoor. All rituals in connection with mahamastakabhisheka of the 35-foot monolith during the course of the 9-day festival that got underway on January 28 are being held at night, except the one held on Wednesday.

The organising committee on instruction from Acharya Sri Ganadharanandi Mahamuni had made this special gesture. The devotees were seen collecting the abhisheka water in bottles and taking home.

In the last four days, along with 108 pavitra kalasha abhisheka, annointing with tender coconut water, sugarcane juice, milk, rice flour, turmeric, ‘kashaya,’ sandalwood, ‘chandana,’ ‘ashtagandha,’ flowers and pearls was done. The special anointing during day was held from 8.15 am to 10.30 am.

After kalasha jalabhisheka, the Bahubali statue was annointed with tender coconut, sugarcane juice and milk. After every annointing, the monolith statue was cleansed with water. On the day, the students of Siddavana Gurukula also performed ‘rice flour annointing.’ Later, turmeric, kashaya, sandalwood, chandana, flowers and pearls abhisheka was held.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya from Shravanabelagola said that there was nothing wrong in holding mahamasthakabhisheka to Bahubali during night time. However, during night Jain seers will not take part in the ritual. Hence, a special abhisheka was held during day on Wednesday. Gunadharanandi Mahamuni, Pavanakeerthi Sagaramuni Maharaja, Sandesha Sagara Muni Maharak actively participated in all the rituals.

In fact, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya was guiding the devotees while offering mahamasthakabhisheka.

“We just touch the abhisheka pot and give nod for anointing. We are all happy by taking part in the ritual. The anointing of Bahubali will spread the message of peace to the world,” said Gunadharanandi Mahamuni.

Moodbidri Jain Mutt’s Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya said “special mahamasthakabhisheka was held during day in 2000. The abhisheka is held in the night owing to hot weather conditions in Venoor.”

The rituals of Panchakalyana of Parshwanath Swamy has begun to the feet of Bahubali from Wednesday. ‘Garbhavatharana,’ ‘namakarana,’ ‘rajyabhara,’ ‘vairagya’ and ‘kevalajnana’ rituals will be held for the next four days.

On the last day, along with 1,008 kalasha abhisheka, milk, sandalwood abhisheka will be held.

Ujire Siddavana Gurukula Jinavani Sangha students who performed abhisheka said: “We are very happy. By offering abhisheka with rice flour to Bahubali, our life has been satisfied. It was a festival for us.”

From Russia to Venoor...

Yeduvada and Rasavachi, a Russian couple, have come all the way to Venoor to have a glimpse of Mahamastakabhisheka. Having read about the annointing ritual in internet, they came to India. The couple are engaged in selling of Ayurveda medicines and have a great respect for Indian culture and art. “We had come to India in 1997. We have visited  Udupi six times in the past,” said Yeduvada.