168 tonnes of foodgrains donated for Mastakabhisheka reach Jain Mutt

With just a week left for the 88th Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka, this Jain pilgrimage centre is abuzz with activity.

While Jain organisations and philanthropists from across the country have joined hands to make the festival a success, officials of various departments are visiting the spot to ensure that all the works are completed well in advance.

After receiving the trucks laden with foodgrains donated by philanthropists from Rajasthan, Puducherry, Bengaluru Rural, Belagavi and Athani, Jain Mutt seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami said the temple administration was making all arrangements for providing food to all those attending the event.

Food sub-committee president Vinod Kumar said they had received 50 tonnes of wheat flour and 63 tonnes of wheat from Jaipur and other districts of Rajasthan. "Ten tonnes of rice, sugar, tur dal, greengram dal, urad dal, raisins, cashew nuts, almonds and other items from Puducherry; 15 tonnes of rice from Athani taluk in Belagavi and 30 tonnes of rice, oil, urad, sugar, jaggery and other items from Bengaluru have been received," he said.

Revenue department secretary Gangaram Baderia, who visited the town on Monday, directed the officials to complete the works on time.

He held discussions with officials after inspecting the attic at Vindhyagiri. He sought information about the dais being erected for the inaugural programme near Hosahalli, works on the satellite towns, exhibition, dining hall and the underground drainage system.

He directed officials to complete all works pertaining to the satellite towns and hand them over to the Mutt before Wednesday.

As the Archaeological Survey of India is opposed to the use of lifts for the attics, Gangaram promised to hold discussions with the department officials.

Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri, Superintendent of Police Rahul Kumar Shahpurawad, Mastakabhisheka special officer B N Varaprasad Reddy were present. DG&IGP Neelmani Raju was also in the town to review security arrangements.