The Mahamastakabhisheka (or Mahamastak Abhishek) is an important Jain festival held once every twelve years in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka province, India. The festival is held in veneration of an immense 18 meter high statue of the Bhagwan (or Saint) Gomateshwara Bahubali. The anointing last took place on December 19, 1993.

As the Mahamastakabhisheka begins, consecrated water is sprinkled onto the participants by devotees carrying 1008 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.

As the name suggests it is the anointing ceremony of the image; usually the auspicious occasion coincides once in 12 years.

According to Jain tradition Gomateswara  is not a mere monolithic image.  He is regarded as Jain Saint and in fact is the symbolical expression of Bahubali, infact the image is of Bahubali Swamy, there is a story as to how image was got carved.

Purudeva was the first Thirthankara.  He has two sons by name Bharatha and Bahubali.  Once they quarrelled amongst themselves for the sake of kingdom.  In that fight Bahubali succeeded.  But he was overcome by grief and shame of seeing his defeated brother.  His mind was transformed.  He renounced the kingdom in favor of his brother and retired to penance and attained Kevalagnana and Bharatha got his image erected in Paudanapura.  After several years the hill was covered by ant-hills and serpents.  He came to be recognised as Kukkuteswara.  Only the pious could see the image, in course of time Chavundaraya who had heard of description installed on the hill at Sravanabelagola.  He accordingly discharged an arrow to the top of Indragiri and the figure of Gomateswar flashed.  The image was carved under the supervision of a sage by name Arishtanemi.

It is to such an image is associated a good deal of traditional sanctity and the "Mahamastakabhisheka" is performed.  Just on the eve of the ceremony scaffolding will be got constructed to help the priests and devotees to go up and offer worship.  Worship will be offered according to Jain Agama.  Just in front of the image will be placed articles of worship with 1008 pots filled with sacred water and coloured in ceremonious manner.  After sacred bath with milk and ghee is over the priests arrange for the great Abhisheka.  Under the guidance of the Holy Swamiji, the priests pour 1008 pots of sacred water over the image simultaneously by chanting Mantras.  Then they pour Milk, Curds, Ghee, Sugar, Almonds, Gold flowers and Silver flowers wealthy devotees offer bids for the Kalasas, to obtain them and take the rare privilege of performing Abhisheka.

It has become customary to offer the first chance of worship to the Ruler of Mysore who is held in great reverence.  This ceremony is a rare one and it is arranged for the peace and prosperity of mankind.

CHANDRAGIRI (Chikkabetta) :  Just opposite to the Vindhyagiri a small hill is situated.  Steps have been cut out in this hills and the ascent is not difficult.  There are seven monuments of interest, they are :

1. The cave of Bhadrabahu :  The sacred feet of Srutakavali are being worshipped even now.  It is said that Chandragupta Maurya worshipped those sacred feet till his last days.

2. Kuge Brahmadevara Kambha :  At the top of the pillar is seated the image of Brahma over it.

3. Shantinatha Basadi

4. Bharateswara :  To the north of Shantinatha Basadi

5. Mahanavami Mantappa

6. Parswanatha Basadi

7. Manastambha Basadi :  Beautiful pillar with image of Jain seated in a small mantap with Goupuram on it is believed that this pillar was constructed in the 17th century by a Jain merchant by name Puttaiah.

8. Kattlae Basadi :  This is situated  to the left of Parswanatha Basadi and in fact this is the biggest of all the Basadis on this hill.  Here one finds the image of Adinatha Thirthankara and also of pampavathi in the Kaisale

9. Chandragupta Basadi :  It is situated to the north of Kattlae Basadi.  This is perhaps the smallest of all the Basadis.  The beautiful workmanship of architecture found in this monument relates to the 12th century.

10. Shasana Basadi : Because of the inscription in front of it, it is called like that, it has got Garbhagruha, Sukhnasi and Navaranga.  All are dedicated to the worhsip of Adinatha and Gomukha and Chankreswari, the Yaksha and Yakshi.

11. Majjigana Basadi :  Dedicated to worship of Ananthanatha, the 14th Thirthankara.

12. Chandraprabha Basadi :  Located to the west of Shasana Basadi, it is dedicated to the worship of the Eight Thirthankara, Chandraprabha.  The images of Shyama and Jwalamalini, Yaksha and Yakshi are to be found.

13. Suparswanatha Basadi :  Seven headed serpent is carved over the head of the image.

14. Chavundaraya Basadi :  This Basadi is said to have been got constructed in 982 AD, by Chavundaraya as per inscription.  It is dedicated to the worship of Neminathaswamy, the 22nd Thirthankara.  The monument reveals workmanship of the Ganga and the Hoysala periods.  This is constructed as the most beautiful of all the Basadis.

15. Yeradukatte Basadi :  It is located opposite to the Chavundaraya Basadi.  The image of Adinatha is found inside with Yaksha and Yakshi.

16. Savathigandharvana Basadi :  It is dedicated to the worship of Shantinatha, the 16th Thirthankara.  It is seen from the inscription on the pedestal of the image that this Basadi was got constructed by Shanthaladevi, the queen of Vishnuvardhana, in 1123 AD

17. Tyerina Basadi :  Resembling a Ratha

18. Shanteswara Basadi

19. Iruve Brahmadevara Temple :  The image of Brahma is carved out of a solid rock on a miniature scale.

20. Kanchina Pond and Lakki Pond :  These are ponds

Some other Important temples are

• The Bhandara Basadi :  Dedicated to the worship of 24 Thirthankaras.  It is named after Treasure of Hoysala King Narasimha.  It has got a Garbhagruha, Suknasi and Navaranga.  The image in Indian dancing pose is beautifully carved.

• Akkana Basadi :  Dedicated to the worship of Parswanatha, it is constructed in Hoysala style.  There is beautiful architecture inside the temple.

• Sidhanta Basadi :  In this Basadi located to the west of the enclosure to Akkana Basadi were secured books relating to the Jain Sidhantha, in a dark room.

• General: It is interesting to note that round about Sravanabelagola there are beautiful monuments of Hoysala style particularly in Jinanathapura and Kambadahalli.  The monuments of Sravanabelagola are a display of artistic excellence, architectural genius and intense devotion to religion.  A visit to Sravanabelagola will reveal the grandeur and beauty of art and architecture of the distant past.  They stand prominent as ennobling edifices and enliven the career of the artist, the devotee and the historian, who will grudge to acknowledge that these monuments are living testimonies symbolizing the neatness of our nation in the fields of art, architecture and administration.

Nearest Airport : Bangalore

Nearest Railway Station : Hassan

Click here for Virtual Abhisheka

Visitors on this Page : Number