Moodbidri: A rare Mahamastakabhisheka was performed on Friday night at the premises of the historic Thousand Pillars Basadi in Moodbidri under the guidance of Jain pontiff Swastishri Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Swamiji.

The three-foot-tall, 300-kg silver idol of Bahubali housed inside the Thousand Pillars Basadi was placed on a beautifully constructed indoor pedestal near the shrine. Following the guidance of Bhattaraka Swamiji and with the assistance of priests, the abhisheka was performed using the traditional substances prescribed for Mahamastakabhisheka rituals.

The ceremony began with Jalabhisheka using 54 kalashas, followed by offerings of tender coconut water, sugarcane juice, milk, navadhanya, cow’s ghee, herbal decoction, rice flour (kalka churna), turmeric, saffron powder, saffron liquid, Chatushkona kalashabhisheka, puffed rice, sandalwood paste and other sacred materials. Prayers were offered for the removal of worldly obstacles and the well-being of humanity. The rituals concluded with floral offerings along with gold, arghya, maha mangalarati and guru puja.

Dharmasthala’s D. Surendra Kumar and Dr. Arala Niranjan Kumar, among other dignitaries, performed select abhishekas. Padmalatha Niranjan Kumar, daughter of Dharmasthala Mathrushree Ratnamma Hegde, rendered Jain hymns during the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, folk scholar Dr. S. P. Padmaprasad spoke about the personality of Bahubali as a symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom, highlighting his supreme renunciation and impermanent outlook on life. Former minister K. Abhayachandra, Shirthady Sampath Samrajya Munta and others were present.

Until 1956, Mahamastakabhisheka for this Bahubali idol was performed during the Basadi’s junior car festival. Subsequently, the ritual was held in 2008 and 2014. In 2017, the abhisheka was performed as a seva by the children of Adiraja, the then headmaster of a Jain high school, following his demise. This time, the rare ritual was performed in connection with the demise of Adiraja’s wife Rohini Adiraja, offering devotees an opportunity to witness the sacred service.