Mastakabhisheka ►Message from NRI Sub-Committee President, Working President & Convener

Dear Dharmabandhu,

I am writing this to invite you all to participate in once in a life time event at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka state in southern India.

Shravanabelagola is a small township located 51 km (32 miles) southeast of Hassan District in the state of Karnataka, which sits at an altitude of about 3,350 feet above sea level. There are excellent roads to Shravanabelagola from both Bangalore and Mysore. The nearest airport is in Bangalore, at a distance of 157 km (98 miles) and the nearest railway station is in Shravanabelagola.

Shravanabelagola, nestled by the Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri Hills, protected by the monolith Bhagwan Bahubali, and home to over 2,300 years of Jain heritage, is a veritable picture postcard of our history and heritage spanning the centuries.

The name of this holy center is derived from the pond called ‘bili-gola’ (white pond) nestled between two hills - Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri. Crowning the 438 feet high hill Vindhyagiri, is a magnificent statue of Bhagwan Bahubali or Gommateshwara. The statue stands 57 feet tall, is the largest monolithic statue in the world, and is visible from a distance of 30 km. It was consecrated by Chavundaraya, a minister of the Ganga King Rajmalla; in 981 A.D. Hewn out of a single rock of granite, the statue stands in its solitary serene splendor and has over the years inspired countless pilgrims.

Mahamastakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony of the Bhagwan Bahubali, is observed once every 12 years in the Digamber Jain tradition. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be performed in 2018 during the period of February 17th to February 25th. Mahamastakabhisheka is a prominent and important festival, famous in India and abroad. Hundreds of thousands of people from India and around the world gather with enthusiasm, devotion and dedication and feel themselves blessed by attending the festival.

We are all very fortunate that we will have the opportunity to witness and perform the upcoming MAHASMASTAKABHISHEKA of LORD GOMMATESHWARA. It will be the second Mahamastakabhisheka of the 21st Century. The Mahotsava will be graced by numerous Acharya, Munis, Aryikas, Kshullaks, Kshullikas and all of the Bhattarak Swamijis. Those attending will have the benefit of the holy audience of religious leaders and listening to their discourses on spirituality, ethics and morality. In addition, there will be the opportunity to witness many cultural programs as well as Religious and Spiritual discourses by prominent sadhus, sadhvis and scholars.

Since this important event occurs only once in 12 years, it is essential that the interested Jains and others should participate in this once in a lifetime event. The day of February 21st, 2018 has been set aside as a special day for the NRI's to perform Abhishek of Bhagwan Bahubali. It is also possible for individuals visiting from overseas to be joined by their family in India to perform the Abhishek together.

Those of us who participated in similar festivities and ceremonies 12 years ago, knows that to be a part his event will be spectacular, inspiring and breathtaking. Words cannot describe the most wonderful feelings of exhilaration, while performing the Abhishek.

The Abhishek will be open for 6 months. Organizers expect nearly a million people to perform and participate in this Pilgrimage over the period of six months. To recognize the contribution, the Jains have made toward human development, the Central Government of India and the State Government of Karnataka have contributed substantial amount of money to provide appropriate facilities for those participating and to make arrangement for their safety and wellbeing.

The detailed arrangements for the NRI participants and their families are being worked out and will be provided in due course. These details will include information regarding transportation from Bangalore to Shravanabelagola and return, accommodation at Shravanabelagola or nearby hotels located at Channarayapatna, Hassan, Mysore etc., meals, dress code, registration information and others. In the meantime, if you have any question please do not hesitate to call me or any of the Co-Conveners.

Please share this information with your relatives and friends and encourage them to participate in this very auspicious event in the Jain calendar.

Thanks & Regards,

President

Shri Nirmal Kumar Sethi Jain, New Delhi, India

Shri Mahindra Kumar Jain, Chennai, India

Dr. Tansukh Salgia,
Ph: 740-965-2627 | 614-204-1652
Email: [email protected]