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The entry to Gommateswara statue temple on summit of Indragiri was restricted to those who had bought the kalashas (pots), their accompapists in fixed number, to the VIP pass holders and the Jain saints. About 3000 persons including about 100 Jain Munis & nuns (Arjikas), many foreigners, about 300 Indian and foreign photographers and journalists, and elite of the country's Jain connunity and of Karnataka government witnessed the spiritually moving head-anointment ceremony of the statue from close quarters of the courtyard and varandahas of the temple and the specially erected large and high platform on three sides of the image. Each group was specifically arranged in separate sections. In the courtyard, facing feet of Lord Gommateswara, where the Jain Munis and Arjikas with Acharya Deshbhushanji, Acharya Vimal Sagarji, Ailacharya Vidyanandji and Swasti Charukirti Swami Bhattarak of Jain Math of Sravanbelgola sitting in front line. To their left were seated the Arjikas.
The men and women were seen climbing 650 steps of the hill barefoot to reach the summit, in unending rows, clad in saffron or clean clothes from 5.00 A.M. itself. Those who could not climb the steps hired the cane chairs to be carried on shoulders of ihe labourers.
The day-long celebrations began at 6.00 A. M. of 22nd February with installation of 1008 brass kalashas of different sizes, each topped with a coconut and mango leaves on the freshly harvested paddy, chanting of Namokar and other Mantras.
The poojah started at 8.00 A.M. at the appointed muhurta with signal of Bhattarak Charukritiji. Kalash holders queued up at one corner of the scaffolding for their names to be called. The eagerly awaited Mahamastakabhisheka, first with water, started at about 9.15 A.M. The kalashas were passed on by a chain of priests from the feet of the image. Ten persons, who had paid rupees one lakh each for a kalash, named "Shatabdi Kalash' first went upto the iron scaffolding one by one. As the kalashas were poured over the head of holy colossus loud cries of Bhagwan Bahubali ki Jai" echoed in the sky. Thereafter the remaining 998 bidders of kalashas, who had bought the kalashas for amounts of rupees fifty thousand down to rupees five hundred cach had their turn to the head anointment.
10
Kalashas were bought for the prices as under: Shatabdi Kalash Divya Ratna Swarna Rajat Tamra Kansya Gullikayajji
200 200
Rs. 1,00,000 each
50,000, 25,000,, 11,000, 5,000, 2,00,, 1.000,
140
200 250
500,
Total
1008
Head-anointment with water took more than three hours to complete. From about 12.30 P.M. onwards it was followed by spectacular sugarcane juice, coconut water, milk and ritual Panchamrita Abhisheka. First came anointment with 500 litres of sugarcane juice poured on the head from large brass urns. Loud cheers, bugles and melodies of the musicians gave further colour to the grand spectacle. Then came pouring of 500 litres of coconut water and thereafter followed pouring of 500 litres of milk, a mixture of termeric powder, cardemom, camphor, slove sandalwood and saffron. When the milk was rolling down from head to feet, the image turned proverbial milk-white presenting a unique sight. The whole atmosphere filled in with pleasant fragrance of sandalwoud and other substances. The scenario went on changing with the colour of the liquid used and the effect was dazzling in the bright sunshine. Greatly influenced, an American cameraman suddenly exclaimed "suddenly it seems a living deity."
आचार्य रत्न श्री देशभूषण जी महाराज अभिनन्दन ग्रन्थ
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