Stage set for Bahubali's Mahamastakabhisheka, President Kovind to inaugurate

Hassan: It's a mega event held only once in 12 years. Not surprisingly, it has drawn thousands of Jain munis ,and devotees from around the country to Shravanabelagola, the temple town that is home to the towering statue of Bahubali.

Wednesday will see 20-day Mahamastakabhisheka (head anointing ceremony) of Bahubali take off with President Ram Nath Kovind lighting the lamp on a massive stage erected specially for the inaugural event on the outskirts of the town.

Also present will be Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Janata Dal(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda, and Hassan district in-charge and Minister A Manju among others. As many as 11 satellite towns have been created to temporarily accommodate the tyagis/matajis, visitors, police personnel and others arriving for the ceremony. Special drinking water and power supply arrangements too have been made for all those who will stay in Shravanabelagola for the duration of the ceremony, says Special Officer for the Mahamastakabhisheka, Varaprasad Reddy.

Around 5,500 police personnel will be deployed and bike-borne police will keep a constant watch on the people, reveals Hassan Superintendent of Police, Rahul Kumar Shahapurwad. A 12-member core team will provide security to the Mahamastakabhisheka head and a contingent of the mounted police from Mysuru besides an Anti-Terrorist squad will be on call at the venue.

In addition, “Agni,” a motorbike squad, equipped with Mist Technology Fire Extinguishers will roam the town 24x7, according to District Fire Officer, Ranganath. “Stretchers and ropes will be available to help people, who may find themselves stuck in the crowd on their way to the Vindhyagiri Hill and one fire station has been opened in all satellite towns as a precaution. Rescue vehicles will also be on call,” he adds. “Since temporary tents have been built using plywood and cloth, and electric board panels and LPG cylinders have been put in place, we will keep a constant watch on the situation,” he assures.

HD Deve Gowda to share dais with Siddaramaiah?
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, who had not so long back stated that he will not attend any function which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah attends, seems to have put his decision on hold and decided to share the dais with the Chief Minister at the inaugural function of Mahamastakabhisheka-2018 at Chavundaraya Sabha Mantapa in Shravanabelagola of Hassan district.

The ceremony will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday.

An official communication from the JD(S) stated that Mr Gowda will arrive in Hassan in a chopper and reach Shravanabelagola by road.

An annoyed Mr Deve Gowda had expressed his ire over the style of functioning of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently especially with regard the transfer of Hassan Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri and had asserted that he would not share the dais with the CM.

But, as per protocol, the state government has printed in the invite and programmes schedule that Mr Deve Gowda, representing Hassan in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to attend the inaugural function of Mahamastakabhisheka along with Mr Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries on Wednesday.