Dharmasthala: Members of Sri Ananthanath Jain Samaj from Mandya performed the anointment rituals of Bahubali at Ratnagiri on Sunday. While the main rituals in connection with the once in 12 years Mahamastakabhisheka were held for 3 days from February 16, the organisers have held the rituals to cater to demands of Jains from other parts of India over the weekends, since then, and anointment rituals on March 24 will be the last one.D Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, felicitated Ananthanath Jain Samaj in the presence of Siddhantha Keerthi Bhattaraka swamiji of Aarathipura Jain Math, Mandya, who delivered benedictions on the occasion. Heggade said the message of Jainism is all the more relevant in present times, and a clear message of non-violence, peace and amity goes out to the society through conducting Mahamastakabhisheka rituals in such a time.Heggade said media reports in the run up to the fourth edition that got under way on February 9 helped create a positive atmosphere which saw a flood of devotees come down to Ratnagiri and take part in the religious festivities organised in connection with Mahamastakabhisheka.The task of renovating 200 tanks across Karnataka to mark the occasion is a noble decision taken by Heggade, noted Sri Siddhantha Keerthi Bhattaraka. “This task that has been undertaken will one day become ‘Maha Vaibhava’ (mega wonder), the seer said, in an apparent reference to ‘Panchamaha Vaibhava’ held in the run up the anointment rituals under the guidance of Hemavathi Heggade, wife of Heggade, who is the ‘Anarghya Ratna of the Jain community,” the seer declared.The anointment rituals were carried out using water, milk, sugarcane juice, turmeric, kashaya, sandalwood paste, asthagandha and other mangala dravyas. Organisers facilitated the media to offer Mahamastakabhisheka to the monolith in recognition of their work during the event. Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka swamiji of Jain Math, Moodbidri, will lead the last rituals on March 24.

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