‘Devotees draw inspiration from Mastakabhisheka’

It is both a sense of fulfilment and the realisation of our insignificant role while pouring water on the head of Bhagwan Bahubali statue, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said.

He was speaking after initiating the ‘Jalabhisheka’ with ‘1008 Kalashas’ on Saturday.

Bhagwan Bahubali is not a Tirthankara. He is revered because of his sacrifice and single-minded determination in completing the punishing 365-day penance. Bahubali who sacrificed everything does not demand such elaborate ceremonies once in 12 years. “Like a mother taking delight in bathing her child, devotees draw inspiration from such anointing ceremonies. The devotees believe that in offering water, they had atoned for their sins,” he said. Irrespective of the price of kalashas, devotees experience the same kind of fulfilment, he said.

Hemavathy Heggade, wife of Veerendra Heggade, said Jainism allowed the spiritual growth of a woman. She clarified that honey was not used during the anointing ceremony as generally believed. Scholar on Jainism Hampa Nagarajaiah said the Mahamastakabhisheka’s message of peace and non violence was still relevant.