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Shravanabelagola, Jan 12: In the wake of two deaths owing to heart ailments recorded at the 1993 Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations, no effort is being spared by the State Government and the Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt, which has brought in the leading Bangalore based cardiac group Vivus, to ensure state-of-the art cardiac care for the pilgrims.
According to Vivus Group Chairman and Managing Director and Cardiologist Dr. S.S. Ramesh, the Group is managing a 50-bed heart centre Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Heart Centre at Bangalore since the last 5 years. The
Group's specialists provide cardiac care in 5 speciality hospitals in Bangalore. Simultaneously, the Group is also managing Vivus Health Centre at Bangalore. The Group has on its rolls10 cardiologists, 5 cardiac surgeons and 10 registrars in cardiology.
During the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations, the Group will have a fully equipped ambulance at the base of Vindhyagiri hills acting as an ICU, a virtual hospital on wheels. The need for a state of the art cardiac care facility at Shravanabelagola during the celebrations is imperative with the number of persons with High blood pressure, diabetes and joint pains on the increase in Indian society. They can develop difficulty in breathing and the risks are high especially owing to the elevation of Vindhyagiri hills, says Dr.Ramesh.
Vivus Group will provide the cardiac facility both at the base and top of the Vindhyagiri hills during the celebrations. At the base, Vivus will provide the entire range of services, inclusive of an intensive care unit with emergency monitoring facilities such as ventilators, defibrillator, pacing, and emergency medications such as streptokinase and other drugs. The Group's mobile cardiac catheterisition laboratory, first of its kind in Asia, wherein procedures such as angiogram, angioplasty can be done in a mobile set up will also be parked at the base inclusive of diagnostic facilities such as ECG, Echo-cardio gram and Angiography. The cardiac facility at the base
will have five beds with a specialist, an assistant, six nurses and other paramedical staff and technicians.
The Vivus cardiac facility at the base of the hills will operate round the clock. The specialists will take charge of the hospitals by January 18 and will be fully functional on January 21 and 22, in time for the visit of the President Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam for inauguration. After this, the facility will be on a standby mode and become fully operational again from February 1 to February 28.
The facility at the top of the hills will have two beds with monitors & defibrillator, oxygen and emergency medication. Stretchers fitted with portable monitors and oxygen with paramedics standing by will become operational from February 1 to February 28. The facility at the top will comprise one specialist, three nurses and two paramedics, operating from 5 pm to 9 pm every day.
The Group has also entered into arrangements with Government General Hospital and the CSI Hospital at Hassan for treatment facilities with only very serious patients being transported to the Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Heart Centre at Bangalore.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 10: For the first time in the history of Mahamastabhisheka, the celebrations will be live on Ham Radio.
According to Ajoy - VU2JHM - Special Event Station - Coordinator, an Amateur (Ham) Radio Special Event Station will become operational and offer Amateur Radio Service by licensed Ham Volunteers to assist the organizers in Communication at Shravanabelogola.
All Amateur (Ham) Radio licenses working from India do have their call sign prefix starting with VU2 or VU3. On occasion of Mahamastabhishekha Special Event a unique Callsign as "AT6MM" denoting the 2006 Mahamastabhisheka is due from Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.
Amateur (Ham) Radio Volunteers are know for their valuable humanitarian service of providing vital communication whenever there is a Disaster as Earthquake, Floods, Cyclone, Wide Spread Fire from the affected place to rest of the world and vice versa.
At normal times they are either experimenting with their wireless equipment, antenna gadgets or taking part in a world wide event sitting in their homes either talking, using Morse key or connecting their computer. They do have lots of contests, which could be like working maximum countries (Zones) over weekend on one band or different band and different modes (voice, Morse, digital). They do voluntarily participate in Car Rallies, National Games to assist the organizers, very rare that they come for Religious events such as Sagar Mela in West Bengal and never participate in Political, Business events.
Volunteers who would be assisting the organizers would be on UHF and VHF hand held transreceivers with few base station equipments both fixed and mounted on vehicles to ensure quick communication handling messages of public safety, crowd control, missing people info anticipated out of the 30 Lakh visitors expected at this celebrations.
The Special Event Station at Shravanabelogola would be a High Frequency (HF) Station with capability of contacting many stations of the world with power of 100 watts on lower side band for 40 meters (7 MHz) and on upper side band for other bands.

Plans to link internet with local VHF thru VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) using Echolink is also worked out from the State of Art Media centre of Shravanabelogola apart from other Chat utility for those who are on this medium of communication.
These Amateur (Ham) Radio Volunteers are mainly from Bangalore City which has most Ham Radio Licencees in our country, there are dedicated ones who are expected from other states also to come as this Special event HF station would be active 24 hours of day and night and keeping it warm for full Mahamastabhisheka Celebrations needs more volunteers too.
Special QSL (acknowledgement) card would be provided for every QSO (contact) made to this Mahamastabhishekha Amateur (Ham) Radio Station, which would be sent through their bureau, and those who wish to get by airmail are requested to send one International Reply Coupon.
"To enable proper liaison amongst this technical hobby, Hassan Deputy Commissioner and President, Mahamastabhisheka Committee has nominated me as Special Event Station – Coordinator," says Ajoy.
Few of the Celebrity Hams are: Amateur Radio Callsign Name of the Person Designation
1 VU2DMK Dayanaidhi Maran Hon. Minister of Communication, GoI
2 VU2SON Mrs. Sonia Gandhi Congress Party Leader
3 VU2PGY Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi D/o Sonia Gandhi
4 VU2AMY Mr.Amitabh Bachchan Noted Cine Actor
5 VU2HAS Mr. Kamala Hassan Noted Cine Actor
6 VU2SCU Mr. Charu Hassan Noted Cine Actor
7 VU2SLW Mr. Madhu Bangarappa Ex Minister and noted Cine Actor
8 VU3KMV Mr. Kumara Bangarappa Noted Cine Actor
9 VU3MSQ Mr. Shivaraj Kumar Noted Cine Actor
10 VU3VIP Mr. Krishnamurthy KB Member of Parliament
11 VU3DGK Mr. Dinesh Gundurao MLA.
Further details the media may contact
Lion Ajoy – VU2JHM, Special Event Station – Co-coordinator, Email: lionajoy@yahoo.com, Off Phone 080-22356399, Res 080-23442600

Shravanabelagola, Jan 12: The State Health Department is gearing up the Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations by deploying personnel and equipments to the Government hospitals in Shravanabelagola and Chennarayapatna.
According to State Nodal Officer for Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava Dr.B N Dhanya Kumar, in the latest initiative two X ray machines along with technicians have been deputed from Shimoga to Shravanabelagola and Chennarayapatna.
Action has been initiated to set up Blood Storage Centres at Shravanabelagola and Chennarayapatana. Two laboratory technicians have been deputed for the programme from February 1 to 28, he said.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 15: Charismatic Jain Muni Tarun Sagar reached Shravanabelagola today, walking all the way from Belgaum to participate in the Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations. He was given a rousing reception. Attached are three pictures. Two more follow alongwith a press note based on his address which was attended by more than 5,000 people. The pictures show Munishri Tarun Sagar addressing the gathering and also he being led in a procession to the Digambar Jain. Archarya 108 Vardhamana Sagar Maharaj and HH Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, pontiff of the Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain, are seen in the pictures taken during his address while in another Munishri Tarun Sagar is being brought in a procession to the Mutt led by HH Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji.

BAHUBALI'S LIFE AND IDEALS VERY RELEVANT IN TODAY'S CORRUPT SOCIETY: TARUN SAGAR

Shravanabelagola, Jan 15: A new air of enthusiasm and energy was infused into the Bhagawan Bahubali Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations on Monday with the arrival of charismatic 'revolutionary' Jain Munisri Tarun Sagar, famous for his fiery televised breathless addresses.
Munisri Tarun Sagar, who reached Shravanabelagola after a 65 day long walk from Belgaum, was received by a group of monks at Thyagi Nagar, a km away from the Mutt, and was led to the mutt premises in a colourful procession with full dharmic honours, complete with Mangala Kalashas and the flags.
Later, addressing a 5000 strong gathering from the Chavundaraya Mantap in the Mutt flanked by Acharya 108 Vardhamana Sagar Maharaj, HH Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and 132 other monks who have descended on Shravanabelagola for the Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations, Munisri Tarun Sagar was at his inimitable best.

"I did not have any programme to come here. But, even then, I came after a 65 day long walk all the way from Belgaum. I simply could not resist either the divine energy of Bhagawan Bahubali, in whom I have complete faith, or the supreme attraction that is Mahamasthkabhisheka Mahotsav," he said.
Terming Bhagawan Bahubali as the tallest of all Jain saints, even taller than the 24 Theerthankaras, he said the ideals Bahubali stands for, such as non-violence and renunciation, was extremely relevant in the current times, when everything is reeking in corruption, be it mental, moral or material. "If today, a person can boast of just one of the many virtues of Bhagawan Bahubali, I dare say that that person will go straight to heaven", he declared.
On the relevance of Mahamasthakabhisheka, Tarun Sagar said the celebrations were highly symbolic as the Abhisheka commences from the head and flows, onto the toes. "That is need of the current times when we consider the rot in the body polity today. There is a need for cleansing the corruption at the top if the society is to emerge clean and healthy for the common man at the bottom," he said.
Pointing out that the Jain Acharyas from different parts of north India have not come to Shravanabelagola in South India just to taste Idli or Dosa, Tarun Sagar said that was the magnetism of Bahubali and the ideals he embodies. "I am an ordinary saint. But, the Acharyas are like rivers and all rivers have come to confluence at the feet of Bahubali, the serene ocean of peace, love and enlightenment," he described.
He praised HH Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, pontiff of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt, as a social scientist in the garb of a muni.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, His Holiness Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, pontiff of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt, said it was an honour to have a monk like Tarun Sagar among the 133 monks who have descended on Shravanabelagola. He expressed confidence that the true Munishri Tarun Sagar, though known for his fiery addresses, was soft and full of love and this character would come forth during the celebrations.
Acharya108 Vardhaman Sagar Maharaj and Acharya 108 Virajanandi Maharaja also spoke. MMC06 Working President A R Nirmal Kumar and other top functionaries D R Shaha, Anil Sethi and Arvind Doshi were also present on the occasion.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 15: The Western Union Money Transfer functioning in more than 195 nations with more than 200 branches has provided its money transfer facilities at the Shravanabelagola post office. More and more people can avail the facility during the Mahamasthakabhisheka.

His Holiness Sasti Sri Charukeerthiji giving directions for the poojavidhis to be performed.

His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthiji inspecting the work.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 16: The preparations of the pooja articles for performing the Mahamasthakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali began officially on Monday the January 16th through the dharmic (religious) rituals. Red Sandal, Turmeric, Rice, Medicinal, Herbs, Swetha Chandana and many other material that are used in Mahamasthakabhisheka are being prepared for the abhisheka. The preparations began today under the directions of His Holiness under the directions of Swasthisri Charukeerthy Bhattaraka Swamiji at Chavundaraya Mantap in front of the Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola. The vidhi (process of pooja) called as the “Pooja Samagri Sanchaya Vidhi” i.e. collecting the ingredients, is conduction along with the chanting Jain Strotras, Bhajans and the Shobhane Hadu (a folk form of song prevalent in rural Karnataka). The activities of grinding and powdering the ingredients began with a ritualistic touch by His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakhji. The women and men of Jain community from Shravanabelagola shared the work in the presence of Acharya’s, Aryika’s and Kshullakas.

Acharya 108 Sri Sanmathi Sagarji Maharaj addressing the people gathered to welcome him to Shravanabelagola.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 18: The new millennium's first Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations is all set to witness a record number of Jain monks with the participation of a large number of Jain Saints and Mathaji's for the first time in the history of Mahamasthakabhisheka celebration. The number of Jain saints increased up to 141 with the arrival of Acharya 108 Sanmathi Sagarji Muni Maharaj at Shravanabelagola today.
Acharya 108 Sanmathi Sagarji Muni Maharaj and his group of disciples reached Shravanabelagola after traveling nearly 480 kms by foot from Bhouj village of Belagum district, 480 kms away. Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Digambar Jain Mutt received the Acharya with salutation at Digambar Jain Mutt premises.
The life and the sacrifice of the saints would bring prosperity in the society and will show the way to built a peaceful world, the Swamiji said later in his address. The Mahamasthakabhisheka will spread the message of peace and universal brotherhood throughout the world and make India shine in the world arena, he added.
Mr. Shantinath Vora, Mr. Jina Gowda Patil and Mr Raja Sangli, who accompanied the muni Sangh, were felicitated on the occasion.

Shravanabelagola Jan 19: The number of Jain saints and Mathajis at Shravanabelagola increased to 148 as Acharya 108 Sri Niranjan Sagar Muni Maharaj, Acharya 108 Vimadh Sagar Muni Maharaj and Acharya 108 Vinischay Sagar Muni Maharaj accompanied by a group of seven monks arrived here to participate in the new millennium's first Mahamasthakabhisheka.
Acharya Niranjan Sagar from Amaravati, Acharya Vimadh Sagar from Ankola and Acharya Vinischay Sagar from Paltan, Maharasthra started travelled nearly 1600 Kms by foot to reach Shravanabelagola. Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, Pontiff of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt, received the Acharyas at the Mutt premises with full dharmic honours.
Acharya 108 Vardhamana Sagar Muni Maharaj, who graced the occasion, said the present generation should understand the life and ideals of Bahubali if they were to find a solution to the chaotic situation existing around the globe. He expressed confidence that the new millennium's first Mahamasthakabhisheka, a symbol of peace, universal brotherhood and non-violence would assist return of peace, mutual trust and normalcy all over the world.
Bramhacharini Kamala Bhai, Mr. Akhilesh Jaipur and Mr. Alok Joshi were felicitated on this occasion for accompanying the acharyas on their travel to Shravanabelagola.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 20: Not everybody knows that the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations of Bhagawan Bahubali is preceded by an event of great dharmic significance, the Panchakalyana Mahotsava, a six day long homage to Adinatha, the first theertankara and father of Bahubali.
The euphoria surrounding the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations of Bhagawan Bahubali has overshadowed this event being conducted since the first celebrations nearly 1025 years ago. The panchakalyana programme is a celebration, marking a remembrance of the theerthankara tradition. And this year Vice President of India Sri Bairon Singh Shekawat will be the chief guest of Panchakalyana programme on February 6, the third day when the rituals feature Adinatha's coronation as well as renunciation.
At this year's panchakalyana mahotsava being held from February 4 to 9, all stages of the life of Adinatha would be re-created through dharmic rituals on the one hand and through simultaneous theatre performances on the other to ensure that the message of the first theerthankara is communicated to the nearly 20,000 strong gathering of devotees and pilgrims expected to attend the celebrations each day.

Work is under way at a hectic pace in the giant Panchakalyana Pendal and the Samskara Shala being put up for the celebrations nearly three kms away from the Mutt premises.
The celebrations will feature the life and times of Adinatha, also known as Rushabhanath, from his conception in the womb of this mother, his birth, his penance, his renunciation and his attainment of Nirvana- the five stages of his life. "During the panchakalyana, all the struggles Adinatha underwent will be imparted on a statue of the first theertankara and the panchakalyana rituals will turn that statue fit of worship or installation in any Jain temple anywhere in the world," says Sukumar Tatobha Upadhye, one of the five prathishtacharyas of this year's panchakalyana. The other prathishtacharyas of the panchakalyana, a position of honour, are M J Ratna Raju, Shanthiraja Shastri, Hasamukh Lal Jain and Parshwanath. Seven to fourteen assistants will assist them.
"The root mantra of panchakalyana celebrations is 'Nemichandra prathisha thilaka' and this year the panchakalyana will be performed on a 21 inch Adinatha statue made of saffron Jaipur marble, sculpted by the local sculptors," says Upadhye, who has performed as many as 225 Panchakalyanas, essentially meaning consecration of a statue into a deity, in different parts of the country including Maharashtra, Ayodhya, Nagpur, Delhi and Rajasthan. The white marble statue of Adinatha consecrated during the last Mahamasthakabhisheka is worshiped today at the Samava Sarana Temple at Nallore in Karkala taluk of Udupi district.
At the panchakalyana celebrations, apart from the main statue, other statues along with 24 copper idols of the theerthankaras are also invoked through havans and homas with 1008 kalasha abhisheka being conducted on the second day with the liquids used including milk, tender coconut, sugar cane juice and saffron among others. The specially constructed Panchakalayana Nagar comprises 24 rooms, capable of housing 500 people complete with medical care centre, police station, continuous water supply, a langar and emergency services.

Shravanabelagola Jan 20: Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt today paid the accolade to Acharya Mahaveera Keerhi Muni Maharaj on his 35th commemoration day held here in Chavundaraya Mantap. After paying the tribute to Acharya Mahaveera Keerthi, Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Digambar Jain Mutt said he was instrumental in protecting the Digambar Jain tradition with his stern qualities and following a hard way of life. He showed the new pathway to his disciples, which lead them in preaching the dharmic values an ultimate way of live a human life. Swamiji recalled his childhood memories with acharya said his adherence and a severe austerity in following the dharmic values was the inspiration behind the present l to me to attain the present status.
Speaking at the occasion Sri Chainroop Bakliwal, Vice President of Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava Committee said, Acharya stands as an ideal at the acme of humanity through his devotion towards the digambar way of life. His hallucination of protecting the digambar Jain tradition, temples, and antiquities were highly appreciated in the Jain community, he added. He called the present generation to understand the life styles of acharya and follow the right path laid down by the Jain saints.