Special 'abhisheka' by NRIs at Shravanabelagola on Feb 21, 22

Vice president of the Non Resident Indian (NRI) Council Arathi Krishna said on Sunday that NRIs would be given an opportunity to take part in special 'abhishekas' during the Bahubali Mahamasthakabhisheka on February 21 and 22.

Mahamastakabhisheka, the anointing ceremony to the 57-foot tall monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola, is performed once in 12 years. This year the event is being held from February 17 to 25.

Speaking to DH after visiting the temporary satellite towns under construction in the town on Sunday, she said already 200 NRIs belonging to Jain religion had registered their names with the NRI group. The members staying in Germany, Kenya, Dubai, Brazil, England, Indonesia and other countries will be visiting Shravanabelagola to be a part of the Mahamastakabhisheka.

The NRIs are expected to contribute for the development of Jain basadis and also for Prakrit language under 'Namma Ooru, Namma Naadu' scheme.

Over the past 10 years, NRIs have been extended an invitation to be a part of the 2018 festival. So, far 200 have registered their names and more are expected to visit the shrine during the month-long festival, she said.

The district administration has been requested to provide them air-conditioned accommodation near the satellite town identified for the police department, Arathi said.