<p class="bodytext">The count down has begun for Mahamastakabhisheka at 39-feet tall Bahubali at Rathnagiri in Dharmasthala. The ritual will be held between February 9 to 18.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The preparations are underway as lakh of devotees will take part in Mahamastakabhisheka. Scaffolding work for the anointment event of Lord Bahubali at Dharmasthala is underway. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The 13.7 metre width, 62 feet tall with six floor scaffolding is being built using 80 tonne steel. About 400 to 500 people can stand in the scaffolding at a time for abhisheka. Two separate lifts have been arranged to carry people and goods from the back of the scaffolding. Mahapadmaprasad and Mahaveera are constructing scaffolding. </p>.<p class="bodytext">As many as 100 saints, Jain Munis and Mathajis will take part in the Mahamastakabhisheka, said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said the Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in the presence of 108 Vardhamana Sagarji Muni, 108 Pushpadanta Sagara Muni, Aryika Mathaji under the guidance of Shravanabelagola Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Around 50,000 devotees are likely to take part daily. The number of devotees may touch one lakh during weekends. The preparations are in underway for the Mahamastakabhisheka. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda will inaugurate saints’ convention on February 8 at 3 pm. In the janakalyana programme, Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will take part on February 9.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Bharatheshwara Digvijaya, an attractive procession, will be held on February 13 at 3 pm. A laser show highlighting the history of Bahubali will be held for 15 days. Devotees will be allowed to leave for Bahubali Betta even in the night,” said Heggade. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The PWD is taking up development works worth Rs 23.50 crore in Dharmasthala. Also, Rs 15 crore will be spent on four laning two-kilometre road from Nethravathi Snanaghatta to Dharmasthala Main entrance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Funds of Rs 7.5 crore will be spent on converting 4-km stretch from Gangothri building to Snanaghatta to seven metre road. Further, KSRTC bus depot road will also be widened. The road leading to Rathnagiri will be developed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. </p>.<p class="bodytext">District in Charge Minister U T Khader said that Rs 2 crore will be sanctioned for taking up beautification work by the tourism department. Additional 50 KSRTC buses will be deployed from different parts of the state to Dharmasthala during Mahamastakabhisheka.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The count down has begun for Mahamastakabhisheka at 39-feet tall Bahubali at Rathnagiri in Dharmasthala. The ritual will be held between February 9 to 18.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The preparations are underway as lakh of devotees will take part in Mahamastakabhisheka. Scaffolding work for the anointment event of Lord Bahubali at Dharmasthala is underway. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The 13.7 metre width, 62 feet tall with six floor scaffolding is being built using 80 tonne steel. About 400 to 500 people can stand in the scaffolding at a time for abhisheka. Two separate lifts have been arranged to carry people and goods from the back of the scaffolding. Mahapadmaprasad and Mahaveera are constructing scaffolding. </p>.<p class="bodytext">As many as 100 saints, Jain Munis and Mathajis will take part in the Mahamastakabhisheka, said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said the Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in the presence of 108 Vardhamana Sagarji Muni, 108 Pushpadanta Sagara Muni, Aryika Mathaji under the guidance of Shravanabelagola Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Around 50,000 devotees are likely to take part daily. The number of devotees may touch one lakh during weekends. The preparations are in underway for the Mahamastakabhisheka. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda will inaugurate saints’ convention on February 8 at 3 pm. In the janakalyana programme, Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will take part on February 9.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Bharatheshwara Digvijaya, an attractive procession, will be held on February 13 at 3 pm. A laser show highlighting the history of Bahubali will be held for 15 days. Devotees will be allowed to leave for Bahubali Betta even in the night,” said Heggade. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The PWD is taking up development works worth Rs 23.50 crore in Dharmasthala. Also, Rs 15 crore will be spent on four laning two-kilometre road from Nethravathi Snanaghatta to Dharmasthala Main entrance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Funds of Rs 7.5 crore will be spent on converting 4-km stretch from Gangothri building to Snanaghatta to seven metre road. Further, KSRTC bus depot road will also be widened. The road leading to Rathnagiri will be developed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. </p>.<p class="bodytext">District in Charge Minister U T Khader said that Rs 2 crore will be sanctioned for taking up beautification work by the tourism department. Additional 50 KSRTC buses will be deployed from different parts of the state to Dharmasthala during Mahamastakabhisheka.</p>
