SHARAVANABELAGOLA: Charukeerthy Bhattarak swami, head of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt Management Committee Trust, on Sunday announced dates of Mahamasakabhisheka, an important Jain festival held once every 12 years.
The seer had led the previous three Mahamastakabhishekas for the colossal monolithic statue of Gomateshwara at Vindhyagiri in 1976, 1993 and 2006.
Mahamastakabhisheka will be performed by devotees with tender coconuts, sugarcane juice, milk, sandal paste, turmeric and flowers. The rituals will be inaugurated on February 7, 2018 and will continue for 20 days. The first Mahamastakabhisheka with 108 Kalasas will be held on February 17 with 108 Kalasas and the second Mahamastakabhisheka with 1008 Kalasas on February 18. Abhishekas will continue from February 19 to 25. Cultural and traditional troupes will perform Jagate, Simhanada, Shanku, Kahale, Berinada, Gantenadha, Shravanabelagola Mangalavadya, Nadaswara, Mysore bandset and Sangeeta Save.