2018 Mahamastakabhisheka: The hills All spruced up for the great event

The Vindhyagiri Hill on which the gigantic statue of Bahubali is standing has been readied for Mahamastakabhishkea Mahotsav-2018 like never before by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the custodian of the monument at Shravanabela gola. The preparations for Mahamasta kabhisheka began with ASI cleaning the statue using mild detergents, a customary practice before the Mahamastakabhisheka. The cleaning of the statue was completed well in advance so that the Shravanabela gola Jain Mutt could begin its rituals.

Fearing encroachments, the entire boundaries of both Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri Hills, have been fenced with iron grills, a new addition to Shravanabelagola. A separate row of steps was chiseled by ASI to make it convenient for dholiwallahs ferrying old and disabled people to the top of Vindhyagiri for darshan of Bahubali. The existing steps were provided iron railings as support for the devotees to climb and get down. The Chikka Devaraja Kalyani, an ancient pond at the foot of Vindhyagiri and Chandra giri Hills, has been given a facelift by Hassan Zilla Panchayat. As many as 11 satellite towns have been created to put up temporary tents for the devotes to stay at Shravanabelagola. Special Officer for the Mahamastakbhisheka-2018 Vara Prasad Reddy says accommodation has been made available for about 26,000 devotees including separate facilities for Jain Tyagis and Matajis.