Context:
- President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Mahamastakabhisheka by unveiling an idol of Lord Bahubali, placed in a silver frame, in the presence of several saints and dignitaries.
- Mahamastakabhisheka, the anointment of the Bahubali (Gomateshwara) statue, is an important Jain festival attended by lakhs of devotees.
About Lord Bahubali:
- Lord Bahubali renounced the kingdom and took to spreading the significance of non-violence and sacrifice. “The Bahubali statue installed here signifies his sacrifice. Because of the message the statue stands for, the place has been attracting large crowds from across the globe.”
- King Bahubali is the son of First Jain Tirthankara Rishabhadeva.
History of Shravanabelgola:
- Jain saint Bhadrabahu reached this place from Ujjain along with his disciples. Later Chandragupta Maurya, the ruler of Patna, also handed over his kingdom to his son Bindusara and chose to spend his days here.
The Gomateshwara statue:
- The Gomateshwara statue also represents the rich heritage of the country with regard to art and sculpture. “The statue was installed in 981 and that was the time when the first anointing ceremony was held. Since then, the ceremony has been held once in 12 years.
Source:TH