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NEWS
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KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT RELEASES RS. 25 CRORES FOR SHRAVANA BELGOLA
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The state government of Karnataka, India has released Rs. 25 million for the creation of a permanent infrastructure for the large-scale religious event, the Mahamastakabhisheka, to be held at the famous Jain pilgrimage town of Shravana Belgola in the Hassan district. Mahamastakabhisheka is the visually stunning ritual of pouring holy water over the statue of lord
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Bahubali with tender coconut water, cane sugar juice, kashka choorna and sandalwood paste to cleanse and strengthen it. It is to be held in February 2006. Speaking to reporters after chairing a high level meeting of the Mahamastakabhisheka committee here, Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said that the state has decided to build a 50-bed hospital and a Dharamshala to provide accommodation to devotees in Shravana Belgola. Roads would be improved and an air strip be constructed at Hassan to facilitate air links for those attending the function held once every twelve years.
Meanwhile,
www.new7wonders.com is electing Seven Wonders of the World and has included on its shortlist the statue of Bahubali at Shravana Belgola. Those who wish to vote for it can find it at the 'nominee list' on the web site.⚫
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CHANDANBALA PLAY COMES TO LONDON
n 28th November 2004, London witnessed a wonderful performance of the famous Jain play Chandanbala, which depicts the life and philosophy of the first Jain sadhvi of the same name. The
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event was organised by the women's wing of Jain Vishva Bharti, UK. The unique feature of the play was that it was organised and performed entirely by amateur volunteers from the Indian community in London, in a true display of community spirit.
500 people came to the performance which was very well-received from both within and outside the Jain community. Not only did the play achieve its objective of raising funds for establishing a permanent JVB centre in London, but also received much media attention and invitations to perform in other cities of the UK and Europe.
You can read more about the inspiring story behind the performance in our Art and Literature section..
www.jainelibrary.org
