Mysuru: The monolith statue of Gomateshwara at Gommatagiri, off Mysuru-Madikeri highway came out alive in nine different shades during 67th Masthakabhisheka here on Sunday.
Situated on a hillock, the statue strikingly resembles the Gomateshwara statue of Shravanabelagola in Hassan. Jains from not only across the state but also from different states attended the religious event. Unlike the Mahamasthakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola which is held once in twelve years, the head anointment at Gommatagiri near Mysuru is an annual affair. Seer Devendrakeerhti Bhattaraka Swami graced the occasion.
The rituals for the 67th edition of Masthakabhisheka, which attracted thousands of Jain community members from across the country started at 10.30am. The head anointment that is Panchamrutha abhisheka started at 12 noon at and went on till 1.30pm. Just 20km from city, the 20ft monolith statue sported different hues during the Masthakabhiksheka. As part of the rituals, nine different abhishekas including abhisheka in milk, sugarcane juice, tender coconut and sandal was conducted. People from not only Jain community but also from various communities thronged the venue in large number.
MR Sunil Kumar Jain, President, Sri Digambara Jain Samaja said, “When compare to last year the crowd was more and arrangement was much more systematic. This year the pooja was also done systematically. To provide water facility to people and animals in the surrounding places, we have also dug borewell. Keeping Maha Masthakabhisheka in Hassan which is to be held in 2018, for the welfare of the people we have planned to construct 12 rooms at this place. Apart from this we are also planning to construct more bathrooms for the devotees. Planning for the proposed project is underway and at the earliest we will start the work”.
