Shravanabelagola, Feb 17 (PTI): A grand Mahamastakabhisheka, the head anointing ceremony to the statue of Lord Gommateshwara Bahubali, unfolded today at this Jain pilgrimage centre amidst a montage of traditional rituals, spiritual ecstasy and visual splendour.

Observed once every 12 years in Jain Dharmic cycle, the veneration ceremony this year is the 88th in the series that commenced in the year 981 A.D.

The majestic 57-feet statue, carved out of a single piece of rock, is said to be the world's tallest monolith.

The rituals began with a battery of priests and devotees carrying 108 'kalashas' (holy vessels) from the Digambara Jain mutt to the Vindyagiri hills, the venue of the event.

1008 kalashas will be used for Mahamastakabhisheka from tomorrow till February 25.

The statue was then bathed by devotees from 'attanige' (huge scaffolding) erected for the purpose, with libations such as water, coconut water, sugarcane juice, milk, rice flour, turmeric paste, herbal concoction, kalkachurna, sandal paste, ashtagandha, saffron, gold and silver flowers, as also precious stones, amidst the chanting of hymns.

A visual spectacle was created, as the statue of Lord Gommateshwara Bahubali, the son of Adinath, the first of 24 Jain Tirthankaras, remained soaked in various hues used for Mahamastakabhisheka.

The Gomateshwara statue in the 'Kayotsarga' posture was then showered with fragrant flowers and adorned with a huge garland.

Devotees standing at the feet of the colossal rock-cut statue with devotion and spirit of the occasion were seen soaked in the colours of sandalwood and turmeric that was poured on the towering statue, as fragrance filled the air.

The Mahamastakabisheka that was led by Shri Charukieerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji in the presence of other senior Jain pontiffs also saw Chief Minister Siddaramaiah anointing the statue with the holy water.

The Patni family of Kishanganj in Rajasthan were the first to perform Mahamastakabhisheka to Bahubali by paying Rs 11,61,00,000 for the first 'kalash.'

Authorities said the money payed by the Patni family would be used towards setting up of a 200 bed hospital here.

Said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue that stands as testimony of 'Tyaga' (renunciation) and the message of 'Ahimsa' (Non-Violence) that embodies the Jain way of life, it was commissioned by Chavundaraya, minister and commander in the Ganga dynasty in 981 A.D.

Lakhs of people are thronging Shravanabelagola in Hassan district, also known as 'Jaina Kashi', to participate in what is also called as 'Jain Maha Kumbh'.

But only several selected devotees made their way up the 618 steps leading to the statue to participate in the ceremony, keeping the hilly terrain in mind.

Located between the two hillocks of Vindyagiri and Chandragiri, Shravanabelagola has been a Jain pilgrimage centre for the past 2,500 years.

Thousands of tents have been erected around two km from the two hillocks, dotted with numerous temples, to accommodate the people who have been pouring into this place from all across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to take part in the event on February 19.

President Ram Nath Kovind had set in the process for Mahamastakabhisheka on February 7.