Bengaluru: The world’s tallest monolithic statue of Baahubali in Shravanabelagola, Hassan has been dusted for the first time in a decade in preparation for its 88th Mahamastakabhisheka scheduled for February 2018.
The 58.8 feet tall monolithic statue is also being cleaned of all fungal growth using mild organic detergents under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
While the work began in March, ASI officials have called a brief halt to it owing to shortage of water. Once water supply is fully resumed, ASI hopes to clean the entire statue, from its head to ankle.
A similar exercise was done ahead of the Mahamastakabhisheka of 2006. With a lot of the dust removed, the statue looks brighter already, according to an ASI official.
“As the monolithic statue is being cleaned after about a decade, a lot of suspended dust particles have settled on it. When it rains, the dust gets sticky, taking away its shine,” he explains.
As no major damage to the statue has been noticed by ASI officials during the cleaning , they assure it could be a living monument for another 1,000 years.
Senior journalist Ashok Kumar, who is based in Shravanabelagola, says that the statue was sculpted during the time of Ganga dynasty Prime Minister Chavundaraya in 981 AD. On March 13 the same year Baahabali had its first Mahamastakabhisheka, according to him.
