Karkala, January 22: Thousands of devotees thronged to view the 10- day long Mahamastakabhisheka of Bhagwan Bahubali at Karkala on Wednesday, January 21st which takes place once in 12 years.
Udupi district in-charge and state urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake was inaugurated the auspicious event.
Addressing the gathering, Sorake said, “This is auspicious festival held once in 12 years lights up the society. Jainism delivers the message of sacrifice and non-violence to the society. The contribution of the Jain community to society is significant”, he said.
“It is a matter of pride that the great poet Ratnakaravarni and Tulunadu queen Veeranrani Abbakka belonged to Jainism,” he said.
The cultural programme was inaugurated by Minister of youth affairs and sports K Abhayachandra Jain by symbolically beating the drum.
He assured full support of his government to the event and handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh that was approved by the department of Kannada and culture to M N Rajendrakumar, executive president of Mastakabhisheka committee.
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated the exhibition said that Bhagwan Bahubali has spread the message of sacrifice and non-violence which holds good for all ages. “He was a great man who gave up power that was earned by strength. He preached a life of sacrifice. He was attracted to sainthood and renounced all pleasures of life. Jainism has the power to teach about ‘Sanyasa’ and its significance,” she said.
Dr D Veerendra Heggade Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala presided over the programme. He inaugurated the ‘Dharmachakra’ by spinning it. “Bahubali has set an example of self-esteem and spread the message of live and let live. Truth, justice and dharma are the essential factors in life; they help us lead a good life”, he said.
Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar said he felt proud to be the MLA of Karkala constituency. Emphasizing on the principles of lord Bahubali, he said, “It is important to know about the principles of Jainism in present society,” he expressed.
He urged Sorake and MP Shobha Karandlaje to appeal the central government to choose Dr Veerendra Heggade to popularize the concept of cleanliness in Dharmasthala.
He said, “Dr Heggade is the right person to become an ambassador of ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyan’ in the state”.
M N Rajendra Kumar, Mastakabhisheka committee executive president, welcomed the gathering. Key note address was delivered by Chief Secretary M K Vijayakumar.
Vote of thanks was proposed by S D Sampath. Andaru Gunapala Hegde compeered the event.
Swasti Lalithakeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya Mahaswamiji of Karkala Jain Math and Swasti Laxmi Sena Bhattaraka Pattacharyavarya Mahaswamiji of Kollapur Jain Math were present on the dais. Samithi office bearers, Dr Sridhar Kambli, Dharmastala Harshendrakumar, Suraj Kumar, Pushparaj Jain, town municipal council president Rehmath S Shaikh were present among others.
Thousands of devotees thronged at the venue and took part in the religious ceremony.
