Mahamastakabhisheka
| Mahamastakabhisheka | |
|---|---|
 Anointing of Gommateshwara | |
| Also called | Translation: Head Anointing of Gommateshwara |
| Observed by | Jains |
| Type | Religious |
| Significance | Completion of the statue of Gommateshwara |
| Celebrations | Anointing the statue of Gommateshwara with milk, saffron, flowers, etc. |
| Observances | Prayers, Religious rituals |
| Date | Decided by the luni-solar Jain calendar |
| Part of a series on |
| Jainism |
|---|
 |
|
Jain Prayers |
|
Major figures |
|
Major Sects |
|
Festivals |
| Jainism portal |
The Mahamastakabhisheka is an important Jain festival held once every twelve years in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, India. The festival is held in veneration of a 17.3736 metres (57.000 ft) high statue of the siddha Bahubali. The anointing last took place in 2006, and the next ceremony is going to take place in 2018.[1]
Overview
As the Mahamasthakabhisheka begins, consecrated water is sprinkled onto the participants by devotees carrying 1,008 specially prepared vessels. The statue is then bathed and anointed with libations such as milk, sugarcane juice, and saffron paste, and sprinkled with powders of sandalwood, turmeric, and vermilion. Offerings are made of petals, gold and silver coins, and precious stones. Most recently, the ceremony's finale has included an enormous shower of flowers from a waiting helicopter. This event was covered live by Aastha TV.
Other Mahamastakabhishekas
Apart from the Gommateshwara statue at Shravana Belgola, all the other Gommateshwara statues in Karnataka are also honoured with a Mahamastakabhisheka festival every 12 years.
- Dharmasthala Mahamastakabhisheka
- Karkala Mahamastakabhisheka - The last Mahamastakabhisheka was held in February 2002, and the next will be in 2015. [2]
- Venur Mahamastakabhisheka - The last one was from 28 January 2012 to 5 February 2012. The next one will be in 2024.[3]
- Kumbhoj Mahamastakabhisheka - The last Mahamastakabhisheka was held in 2003, and the next will be in 31 Jan to 5 Feb 2015.
Photo Gallery
-
Mahamastakabhisheka preparations
-
Mahamastakabhisheka prayers
-
-
-
See also
References
- ↑ Correspondent, TNN (8 February 2006). "Mahamastakabhisheka of Bahubali begins today". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ↑ "Karkala Mahamastakabhisheka 2014".
- ↑ "Venur Mahamastakabhisheka 2012". Retrieved 2012-01-27.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gomateshvara Statue. |
- Mahamasthakabhishek Bahubali Official Website
- BBC News Special: Interview and Photo Reportage
- Photographs of the Bahubali statue at Shravanbelagola
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
