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Religious fervour marks mastakabhisheka at Gommatagiri

    Jain-Bahubali-Masthakabhisheka-Gommatagiri-Mysore-Mysuru

    Gommatagiri (Mysuru District, Karnataka), Nov 29, 2015: Jain pilgrims kept their annual tryst with Gomateshwara at Gommatagiri for the annual anointment which was held with religious fervour on Sunday.

    It was the 66th annual anointment to the statue, said to belong to the 13th century AD, and Gommatagiri kshetra was awash with devotees making a beeline for the 50-metre hillock to catch a glimpse of the statue bathed in different hues.

    The mastakabhisheka was supervised by Devendra Keerthi Bhattaraka seer of Hombuja Mutt and was preceded by elaborate preparations leading up to the actual “abhisheka.” A platform behind the statue helped the priests conduct the rituals, which commenced at noon.

    The 16-foot-tall Gomateshwara came alive in different hues as a battery of priests bathed the statue with milk, water mixed with “kumkum”, turmeric, sandal, honey and other ingredients which cascaded from head to toe. The changing colours of Gomateshwara sent the devotees into raptures and the Gommatagiri kshetra resounded to the cries of Bahubali Maharaj ki jai. The statue is located close to the backwaters of the Krishnaraja Sagar and the place is popular among the local tourists and Jain pilgrims.

    Located off the Mysuru–Hunsur highway and 12 km from Yelwal, the statue at Gommatagiri is not as celebrated as its counterpart at Shravanabelagola, where the mahamastakabhisheka takes place once in 12 years. Yet, there is a belief that the Gommatagiri statue is inspired by the 57-foot monolithic statue at Shravanabelagola in view of the striking resemblance of the facial expression.

    Not withstanding its importance, Gommatagiri is not promoted as a tourist destination and is handicapped by lack of easy access to the place. – Image & News Courtesy: The Hindu

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