Mahamastakabhisheka Festival

Mahamasthakabhisheka is very famous and popular festival that is performed once in 12 years. The word Mahamastakabhisheka is a combination of three words Maha meaning great or excellent, Masthaka means head and Abhisheka meaning anointing or coronation. The words literally mean 'the head anointing ceremony'. It is an important Jain festival, and the most famous one is held in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka (160 kilometers from Bengaluru), India. It is performed in reverence to the Eighteen metre high monolithic statue of Bahubali at Shravanabelagola.

During the Mahamastakabhisheka, devotees sprinkle sacred water on the participants. 1,008 specially prepared vessels are carried by them. The statue of Lord Bahubali is worshipped by thousands of devotees who assemble from all over. Mahamastakabhisheka is celebrated with many special rules and principles. Devotees bathe the statue with milk, sugarcane juice, and saffron paste. They also sprinkle sandalwood, turmeric, and vermilion on the statue. The Lord is offered flower petals, precious gems and gold and silver coins. According to the Jainism this worship is very fruitful and for the upliftment of the soul. Recently a beautiful shower of flowers from a waiting helicopter was also organized. Other than the Bahubali statue at Shravanabelgola, all the other Gommateshwara statues in Karnataka are also honoured with a Mahamastakabhisheka festival every 12 years.