Karkala: Preparations have officially begun for the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony of Bhagwan Shri Bahubali Swamy, whose magnificent statue stands at Danashala in the heart of Karkala. The ceremonial muhurta for the construction of the scaffolding was performed at the Bahubali shrine on Sunday morning, marking the beginning of an important phase of preparations for the grand religious event.
The Mahamastakabhisheka Committee and religious authorities have planned a series of rituals and preparatory activities over the next 108 days leading up to the Mahamastakabhisheka. The scaffolding construction is among the major arrangements required for the ceremony, during which devotees will have an opportunity to participate in the traditional anointing rituals.
Hundreds of devotees, religious leaders and dignitaries gathered at the shrine to witness the auspicious commencement of the work.
Ceremonial muhurta held amid religious rituals
The scaffolding construction muhurta was held between 8.35 am and 8.55 am on Sunday, considered an auspicious period for commencing the work.
The religious programme began earlier at 7.30 am with padabhisheka, special prayers and other traditional ceremonies. Special worship was offered to Bhagwan Shri Bahubali Swamy, followed by various rituals conducted under the guidance of priests.
The ceremonies marked the formal beginning of the preparations for the Mahamastakabhisheka, an important event in the Jain religious tradition. The occasion witnessed the participation of devotees who gathered to seek blessings and be part of the initial rituals.
The programme was held in the presence of Elacharya Munishri Prasannasagar Muni Maharaj.
Karkala Jain Math’s Rajaguru Dhyanayogi Swastishri Lalitakeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya Mahaswamiji and Swastishri Bhattakalanka Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya Mahaswamiji of Sonda Shri Jain Math also participated in the religious proceedings.
Their presence added religious significance to the occasion, which brought together Jain spiritual leaders and devotees from different places.
Religious leaders and dignitaries attend
Several prominent personalities associated with the organisation of the Mahamastakabhisheka and public life attended the scaffolding muhurta programme.
Mahamastakabhisheka Committee working president Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, Karkala MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar, and former Moodbidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain were among those present.
The gathering also included devotees, members of the organising committee and other dignitaries who witnessed the commencement of the preparations.
The participation of religious heads, public representatives and community members reflected the importance attached to the Mahamastakabhisheka, which is expected to bring together large numbers of Jain devotees and visitors in Karkala.
Scaffolding work expected to take one-and-a-half months
The construction of the scaffolding is one of the most important preparatory activities for the Mahamastakabhisheka. The structure will provide access to the elevated portions of the Bahubali statue during the ceremonial anointing.
The responsibility for constructing the scaffolding has been entrusted to Mahaveer Industries of Mani.
The work formally commenced following Sunday’s ceremonial muhurta and is expected to be completed within approximately one-and-a-half months.
Once the scaffolding is ready, devotees will be permitted to access the structure. It will serve as an important facility for the religious proceedings and allow participants to take part in the traditional rituals associated with the Mahamastakabhisheka.
The construction requires careful planning and execution to ensure that the structure can accommodate the requirements of the ceremony and provide safe access to devotees.
108 days of preparations ahead of Mahamastakabhisheka
With the scaffolding muhurta completed, preparations for the Mahamastakabhisheka have entered an important phase. Over the next 108 days, a series of religious ceremonies and organisational activities will be undertaken at the shrine.
The Mahamastakabhisheka is a significant Jain religious ceremony in which the statue of Bhagwan Bahubali is ceremonially anointed with sacred substances as part of traditional worship.
Karkala, known for its important Jain heritage and the towering Bahubali statue, holds a special place in the religious and cultural landscape of the region.
The commencement of scaffolding construction has therefore generated interest among devotees and the local community. With religious leaders, organisers and devotees coming together for the initial ceremony, the preparations are set to continue over the coming weeks.
The completion of the scaffolding will be another major milestone, paving the way for devotees to participate in the forthcoming Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations at Karkala.