Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Feb 18: The ceremonial bath being given to the statue of Lord Bahubali at Dharmasthala once in 12 years continued on Sunday February 17. As the teeming crowd watched in jubilation, the scene of the statue unfolding itself like a rainbow transcended them through a state of devotional alacrity.

1008 pitchers filled with holy water were lined up on a huge heap of paddy and puja rituals were performed. The pitchers had been decorated with thread, clothes, coconut, mango leaves etc. After the holiness was involved into the pitchers with chanting of hymns, the ceremonial bath began.

The first family to offer the Kalasha to the Lord belonged was of Anil Sethi. Dharmaraj Jain and family poured coconut water on the statue while Chandrakala Vijaya Kumar offered sugarcane juice. Suresh Babu and Prasannayya were the first to pour milk in the head of the statue. Leading personalities like Dr M N Rajendra Kumar from Karkala, former minister, Abhay Chandra Jain Moodbidri, Param Chand Jain and Mahendra Kumar also joined others in giving a bath to the Lord with different things. As the ceremonial bath continued, Muniraj Renjal provided running commentary. 

State tourism minister, Sa Ra Mahesh, and several dignitaries were present. In the morning, the 'Agrodaka procession' was taken out to the statue. The offering of Kalashas to the Lord began at 12.40 pm and ended at around 2.30 pm. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, honoured all the Bhattaraka Mahaswamiji belonging to different religious centres on this occasion. On behalf of Karnataka Jain Association, Dr Heggade was honoured. Audio of 'Bharatesha Vaibhava' authored by legendary poet, Ratnakara Varni, was released. Former minster, Krishna J Palemar, MLA, Abhay Patil and Heggade family members were present.