Mahamastaka Abhisheka: A grand spectacle for the world to share

Shravanabelagola, the world-famous pilgrim center of Jains in South India, is readying itself to host the Mahamastaka Abhisheka (the head anointing ceremony) of Lord Bahubali, the first in the millennium. As Fergusson remarked, `Nothing grander or more imposing exists anywhere out of Egypt, and even there, no known statue surpasses it in height.' Truly, there is no statue in the world to match the magnificence of the 57 feet statue of Lord Bahubali that stands atop the Indragiri hill. Every 12 years, Mahamastaka Abhisheka is performed for the statue of Lord Bahubali, which stands for benevolence and sacrifice. This religious ceremony, scheduled to be held from February 8-19, 2006, draws the attention of not just India but the entire world. An estimated 30 lakh people are expected to witness the religious extravaganza.