Mahamasthakabhishekha.com

Shravanabelagola, Feb 10: "The arrangements are very good and very useful. I am impressed by connectivity." When Sudha Murthy of Infosys Foundation jotted this in the Visitor's Book after a tour of the Media Centre set up as a part of the Mahamastakabhisheka Celebrations she was merely echoing the thoughts of many international and national journalists since the celebrations was flagged off by President A P J Abdul Kalam on January 22.
Ably complimenting the efforts by Shravanabelagola pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and the Digambar Jain Mutt at ensuring that the message of non violence and renunciation leading to peace and happiness acquires the centrestage rather than merely the colourful visual treat that is Mahamasthakabhisheka, the Media Centre set up under the aegis of the State Information Department has exhibited the capability to cross bandwidth, hospitality and power fluctuation hurdles over a sustained period of time.
Though the trend setting and innovative idea was inspired by the success of the facility provided at the three day CMs' Conference at Chandigarh, the alternates found of sustaining such a facility for nearly a month along with appropriate client servicing by boys of Mindspin and VSNL-Tata Infocom, the systems providers, made all the difference. "We were very careful in choosing the team and I am happy that it has paid off," says Kiran, young director of Mindspin.

If the Mahamastakabhisheka of 1910 is now remembered for the four pigeons that flew with James Edward's message 400 miles within three and a half hours to catch the edition of Madras Mail, the millennium's first Mahamasthakabhisheka registered a new history. For the first time in the history of Mahamasthakabhisheka, the report of the first day of the Mahamasthakabhisheka on February 8 was flashed from atop the Vindhyagiri Hills by Kamal Gopinath, Chief of Bureau of the Digambar Jain Mutt's Mass Communication & Information Centre, to over 200 media outlets across the world using a laptop connected to Wi-Fi wireless internet systems provided by the Government.
"That is the very beauty of communication. We have the very communication revolution unraveling before us at the Mahamastakabhisheka. Our team has done a wonderful job and it is a time to sit back and enjoy when an experiment succeeds," says Information Commissioner K V R Tagore.
The publicity exercise commenced during November-December 2005 from a small but efficient Media Centre operated by the Digambar Jain Mutt, leveraging the internet facilities to the optimum for spreading the message enshrined in the celebrations. Slowly, beginning first with 25 systems and later rising to 125 systems, the Government's Media Centre had come into existence during January second week. One hundred MBP internet enabled atmosphere using Wi-Fi with satellite and terrestrial connections as back up ensured high connectivity to each of the systems at the centre with 512 ram, separate laptop-card reader-pen drive sockets and card readers, offering both free share and proprietary software.
Four separate rooms, one each for the international and electronic media, for the photographers, for the Kannada and Hindi journalists and for journalists of English newspapers with giant screen and televisions offering live telecast of the proceedings up the hills is additional incentive for the scribes covering the event.
Another facility that is impressive aiding better coverage of this year's celebrations is the facility of downloading pictures from online site. As many as 2,158 photos have been uploaded as on date across the world with an average of 40 to 50 photographs being uploaded each day. "Twelve photographers deployed at different locations are providing quality pictures and these pictures have been downloaded from the website by various publications," says Assistant Director Mr.C R Naveen.

"However, in the euphoria of all this, we have not forgotten the local media. Thanks to the support from the Mutt and co-ordination with the Mutt's co-ordinator Mr.Madan Gowda, who helped liaise with the local media, and Bureau Chief Mr. Kamal Gopinath, who provided necessary content support, we have been able to cater to the requirements of both the global and the local media," says Joint Director Mr.Shivaram.
Finally, the high quality gourmet provided around the clock on the house by the Mutt along with mineral water, fruits and soft beverages, even while working in air conditioned comfort makes covering the Mahotsav a pleasurable experience for the global as well as the local media especially after a climb up the Vindhyagiri hills in very hot conditions.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 12: With the direct telecast of the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations not happening after the first two days, and Day Five being a Sunday, thousands who thronged the Vindhyagiri hills today became the first to have a glimpse of the celebrations in progress even without a pass or an invitation.
Continuing with the experiment of Saturday when they allowed general public to view the symbolic Mahamasthakabhisheka without kalashas held for the officers of the judiciary, the police today allowed members of the general public to have a glimpse of the Mahamastakabhisheka, progress in its full complement. The police allowed the members of the public, who had queued up, climb up through the steps on the northern side; reach the feet of the 58.8 ft monolith from below the reserved platforms meant for Kalasha holders and others, when the Mahamastakabhisheka was in progress; pray to Bhagawan Bahubali in the colour he presented himself before them; make their offerings of coconut and rice; collect flowers or handful of abhisheka water as the Bhagawan's blessings; and return - all this in a manner of two to three minutes.
However, on the western entrance, some of the pass holders were not allowed to go up the hills around afternoon owing to the platforms that can hold 6,000 people being jam packed. This led to an impasse which was later resolved by the intervention of senior police officers.
SC Chief Justice participates: Chief Justice of Supreme Court Y K Sabarwal participated in the Mahamastakabhisheka on Sunday. He performed the Abhisheka with Shravanabelagola Pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji on his side. Earlier the Seer led him up the stairs behind the platform in a ceremonial procession with dharmic rites from the pooja sthal at the feet of Bhagawan Bahubali. A group of ten other judicial officers of various designations accompanied the Chief Justice.
Mega Deeksha on Monday: In one of the biggest turnouts ever at a Deeksha or initiation ceremony during the Mahamasthakabhisheka, as many as 36 Jains will be initiated to different categories of a Jain monk, from a Kshullak and onward, at the Panchakalyana Vedike in Tyagi Nagar on Monday. Followers of Acharya 108 Viragasagar Muni Maharaj, Acharya 108 Varadattsagar Muni Maharaj, Munishri Vishuddasagar and Munishri Vinishcharya Sagar, will be initiated into the order of the Jain monks in the presence of Acharya 108 Vardhamanasagar Muni Maharaj and Shravanbelagola Pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji. The ceremony will be held from10.30 am to 12.30 pm. This will be followed by a special programme by the revolutionary Jain monk Munishri Taruna Sagar.
Rousing cultural show: Devotees and visitors to Shravanabelagola for the Mahamasthakabhisheka have over the last four days turned out in huge numbers to savour the cultural programmes featuring leading artistes. What began with an evening with leading playback singer S P Balasubramaniam on Feb 7, followed by a performance from music director/singer Ravindra Jain on February 8, gathered huge momentum when ghazals by Hariharan echoed off the Shravanabelagola's hills. But, the biggest day was Saturday, when actress Shobana with her Bharatanatya performance, and singers C Ashwath and company with their folk songs drew delirious crowds. Noted carnatic classical vocalist Balamuralikrishna is scheduled to perform on Monday.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 12: A national level poet's meet will be held on Monday evening at Shravanabelagola atop the Vindhyagiri hills on the occasion of the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations. The unique meet a confluence of peots-poems and singers will feature participants from different parts of the country, including those from the Hindi belt, Andhrapradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Naud apart from Karnataka.
Noted poet Dr.G S Shivarudrappa will inagurate the meet which also features leading singers such as Shimoga Subbanna and Ratnamala Prakash among others. Noted poet Channaveera Kanavi will preside. Shravanabelagola pontiff Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji will gracethe occasion.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 13: Amidst dharmic fervour and a public display of the rigours of Jain way of life, Thirty six Jains, including 13 women, were initiated as monks today amidst Dharmic fervour at the Panchakalyana Mantapa in the presence of Acharyas, Arikas, Shravanabelagola Pontiff Swasthishri Karmayogi Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and the Bhattarakas of Moodabidri and Kanakagiri.
This was one of the biggest ever turnout for initiation during the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations. The initiation ceremony of the 36 that began early at 4.30 a.m and progressed well into the noon with managalasnana and keshalonchana, the manual plucking of the hair in full media glare, before the participants were initiated to various stages of a monk's life. The tough rigours of becoming a Jain monk was felt acutely by the packed thousands watching the proceedings when the flowing four to five feet long wavy hair locks of Brahmacharini Rani Jain Chatarpur was plucked away by the Arikas after the Brahmacharini sought the permission of the packed gathering to become a monk.
At the ceremony, two women were initiated as Brahmacharini, while eleven Brahmacharinis were initiated as Arikas. Eight Ilak monks were initiated as Shullaks and Six Shullaks as Munis. Shullika 105 Gurumathimataji was initiated as Arika by Prathama Ganini Arika Sri 105 Vijayamathi Mataji. Eight Brahmacharis were elevated as Ilaks and the remaining Brahmacharinis as Shullikas. Two women were initiated as Brahmacharinis. A highlight of the initiation was the large number of young Jain followers who chose to graduate to various stages of becoming a monk, which in essence means renouncing all worldly possessions and desires, and punishing the body through rigorous meditation, penance and lifestyle to attain salvation.
The devotees, a large number of who belonged to the sangha of Acharya Shri 108 Viragasagar Maharaj followed by Prathama Ganini Sri 105 Vijaymathi Mataji and Acharya Sri 108 Varadhattasagar Maharaj were initiated by plucking of their hair, anointing of their head with holy water, and placing of grains and Jain symbols amidst chanting of Jain hymns and delirious devotees shouting slogans.
The devotees who were intitiated today were Ilaks Dhratsenji, Varadhatta, Vishvatsagarji, Vivardhansagarji, Vivarjansagarji, Vishvdrushtsagar, Visheshsagar, Vishvavidhsagarji and Viksantsagarji; Shullaks Vinaysagarji, Vishvibhoosagarji, Vishrathsagarji, Vilasanthsagarji and Viksanthsagarji; Shullika 105 Gurumathimataji; Brahmacharis Bhagchandji, Vijayji, Ananthji, Kamaleshji, Sonubhaiyaji, Vijayji, Amitji, Chakreshbhaiya and Surendraji; Brahmacharinis Sheelaji, Ananthamatiji, Ruthiji, Vinithaji, Arathiji, Ratnaji, Sumathiji, Sarithaji, Seemaji, Rupal Jain Thanktuka, Rani Jain Chatarpur; Amrudha Jain; and Shubprabha.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 13: Former Prime Minister Mr.H D Deve Gowda, accompanied by wife Mrs.Chennamma, participated in the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations today. The couple were carried up the hills on dolis and once on top, they offered Mastakabhisheka to Bhagawan Bahubali. Later, the couple participated in the 'Guru Vandana' programme of Revolutionary Muni Tarun Sagar and released a book ' Sena ek Sandesh', brought out based on Munishri's sayings.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 14: Vindhyagiri decked up like a bride in lights, Bhagawan Bahubali radiating in different hues of laser light, leading poets of the Kannada literary world reciting their literary lines, leading singers of the land lacing these lines with musical notes, poets making floral offering Mastakabhisheka to Gommata with assorted flowers embellishing the night sky like a flowing rainbow………….And it was a full moon day!
It was sheer magic atop Vindhyagiri on Monday evening when poets offered homage to the giant monolith, the fountain of inspiration of Kannada literature over centuries. The setting was the unique 'Confluence of Poets-Poems-Music', a novel programme organised on the occasion the new millennium's first Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations that went on well pass 12 midnight.
Noted poet Dr. G S Shivarudrappa, inaugurating the confluence, underscored the relevance of the values enshrined by Bhagawan Bahubali during the current times when materialism and commercial considerations were ruling the society. "The human values of non-violence, frugal subsistence and renunciation this Giant before whom were gathered today epitomises are core cultural barometers of civilized life, and these are very relevant in the modern times when materialistic attitude is leading humanity away from civilized behaviour," he said.
Dr.Shivarudrappa said the futility of life is clearly brought out in the poems on Gommata penned centuries ago and Bahubali symbolises the eternal truth that 'Everything is Yours' even as man struggles living the wrong notion 'All is Mine and All that is Yours is also Mine', unable to surrender his ego to the universal truth.
Turning his attention to the increasing and everlasting influence of Bahubali on Kannada literature, Dr. Shivarudrappa pointed out that if the gentle giant and his life was the root source of inspiration for more than 25 Kannada poets of medieval times, driving them to write about Gommata and base their literature around him, in modern Kannada literature more than 60 writers have turned to Gommata for inspiration.
Releasing 'Kavya Abhisheka', an anthology of poems brought out on the occasion, renowned poet Chennaveera Kanavi said Bhagawan Bahubali has a special place in the history of Karnataka and releasing the book in such a programme in the presence of this imposing figure was "awe inspiring". Bhagawan Bahubali achieved the impossible when he renounced everything; he said and added that during these times of hate, distrust and violence, one can find inspiration in the life of Bhagawan Bahubali who symbolises love, trust and non-violence.
Literary figure Dr.Chandrashekara Kambara, who presided, said the ideals of renunciation and non violence of Bahubali form an integral part of medieval Kannada literature and is captured vividly in these works. Characters such as Bahubali do not find a place in any other literature in any language in any other part of the world. Hence, the world of Kannada poems is completed overwhelmed by the character of Bahubali, he said and went onto recite a poem he had penned.
What followed was an exhibition and fusion of pure literary genius and musical genius, wafting all over Shravanabelagola in the night sky, filling the air with romance. And when all the poets climbed up the scaffolding and offered floral Mastakabhisheka, it was akin to an abhisheka of poems itself. Shravanabelagola pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, who conceived the literary-musical homage, and programme convener Mr. Jinkalappa came in for wholesome praise from the gathering of literary luminaries.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 14: The Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations will be telecast live everyday at 1.50 p.m from Wednesday on all days upto Feb 19. The celebrations will be telecast live on both Aastha and Aastha International channels. There will be no telecast on February 17 as Mahamasthakabhisheka will not be performed on the day.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 14: Masthakhabhisheka on Tuesday belonged to relatives, friends and families of police and other Government officials. Hence, the traditional kalasha abhisheka was eschewed with and the panchamurtha abhisheka took the centre spot. Some members of the general public also got an opportunity to witness the masthakabhisheka.
The evening belonged to Padmashri Dr.Kunnukudi Vidyanathan, the genuis of Carnatic classical music. However, cine artiste Revathi, who cancelled her dance performance owing to an ankle fracture, disappointed many. But, Urmila Satyanarayan from Chenai who performed instead regaled everybody with the deft Bharatanatyam performance.

Dharamasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade explaining the ideals of Bahgawan Bahubali to Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia as Shravanabelagola Pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji looks on, atop the Vindhyagiri hills on Wednesday.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 15: Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, largely responsible for the release of nearly Rs.75 Crores of Central funds toward the millennium's first Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations, and Infosys Foundation's Sudha Murthy were in the limelight at Wednesday's celebrations.

When Shravanabelagola Pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji made a public acknowledgement of Montek Singh's role atop the Vindhyagiri Hills in the presence of Bhagwan Bahubali's monolith, the huge gathering mainly from Rajasthan gave him a huge round of applause. After this it was the turn of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade to brief the Deputy Chairman regarding Bhgawan Bahubali and his ideals. "He has witnessed history for a thousand years and will be there even after all of us are gone. His ideals of non-violence and renunciation are immortal and transcends time." When Heggadeji said these words Montek Singh was visibly moved. "I am touched and honoured to be here and for having got an opportunity to be a part of such a celebration", he said.

Earlier, before going up the Vindhyagiri Hills for the celebrations, Montek Singh accompanied by Sudha Murthy and Isher Judge Ahluwalia, Vice Chairperson of Planning Board, Punjab, went up the Chandaragiri hills and visited the state of the art Media Centre. "This has been a wonderful visit – my second- to Shravanabelagola. I have just gone up Chandragiri Hills and now look forward to the Mahamasthakabhisheka in an hour or so. This is a truly amazing site of great historical and spiritual importance," Singh singed in the visitors' book. On the other hand Sudha Murthy, as only to be expected, was impressed by the Media Centre. "The arrangements are very good and very useful. I am impressed by the connectivity," she wrote.

Shravanabelagola heritage site: "Shravanabelagola has all the attributes to be declared a world heritage site. However, securing Shravanabelagola this recognition is not an easy process. I will take up the matter with Tourism Minister Ambika Soni on my return," Montek Singh Ahluwalia told mediapersons on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, the Deputy Chairman said the Planning Commission was currently working on the 11th Plan and the document would be ready within a year from now. The Plan makes a comprehensive review of the economy and also takes a look at the correctives that need to be made in the Industrial policy.
Pointing out that the Government was already according great importance to the agricultural sector as symbolized by the 'Bharat Nirman' programme, he said more steps would be taken to promote additional rural infrastructure. Agricultural productivity and rural connectivity were priority sectors, and strenuous efforts would be made to broaden the rural credit base through rural co-operatives.
The Deputy Chairman said everybody was convinced of the importance of rural infrastructure and the importance of roads for economic development. Consequently, the Planning Commission was developing a medium term plan for development of roads. Under the Prime Minister's Sadak Yojana, additional programmes are envisaged for development of national highways. While National High Development Project 1 and the Golden Quadralaterals were already on, under NHDP 3, road length of 10,000 kms will be developed linking ports and places of historic importance. Through NHDP 4, a road length of 20,000 kms will be covered and through NHDP 5 and 6, all the by passes would developed, four lanes will become six lanes and more expressway will come up.
On a question about protection under labour laws, Montek SinghAhluwalia said the Government was also concerned about the hire and fire policy adopted in the private sector and added that the Government itself was against such a policy.

Shravanabelagola, Feb 16: The fruits of Shravanabelagola pontiff Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka's nine year old penance, camping in the pilgrim township without climbing a vehicle except during emergencies, will be unveiled on Friday when three more volumes of Dhavala granthas, the core spiritual texts of Digambar Jains, will be released in Kannada.
As all the religions in India, Digambar Jains too have their sacred texts. Jain religious text Agamas enshrines the teachings of Lord Mahaveer. But for decades this spiritual knowledge base written in Prakrit using Kannada alphabets have been out of the reach of the devotees down south with their north Indian counterparts upstaging them by zealously guarding the texts which they translated into Hindi after a 23 year old endeavour, securing the help of local Kannada pandits to read out the Prakrit text written in Kannada alphabets.
Essentially, the Agamas commonly know as Dhavala granthas is the knowledge compiled by his disciples, from the pravachans of Acharyas (gurus) to the disciples over a period of time. The availability of Agamas only in Prakrit language kept it away the common man and hampered him understanding the universal knowledge of Agamas.
Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, himself a scholar, realized the need for redressing this wrong and made a firm resolve to pilot the translation of all the Dhavala Granthas into Kannada language. The result: translation of the 39 volumes of Dhavala Granthas is on process under National Institute for Prakrit Studies and Research (NIPSAR) run by Jain Mutt. Commentaries on Jain agamas are compiled in these Davala granthas, i.e., Davala, Jayadavala and Mahadavala known as Davalathrayaas. Six volumes of Dhavala have already been released so far and Granthapravesh, an introductory to the all the 39 volumes, released earlier deals with important aspects of davalathrayaas. And on Friday the 7th volume of Dhavala and 1st volume of both Jayadavala and Mahadavala will be released by the Acharyas.
The history of the writings of original scripture of Agamas dates back to the first century. Acharya Pushpadantha and Bhutabali wrote Shatkhand-agam also known as Maha-kamapayadi and Maha-karma-prabhut in Prakrit in 73 A.D. The second Purva-agam named Agraya-niya was used as the basis for this scripture. The scripture contains six volumes. Acharya Virsen wrote a commentary on the first five volumes of Shatkhanda-agama known as Davala-tika and sixth volume known as Maha-dhaval-tika, around 780 A.D.
Acharya Virsen also wrote a commentary on Kashay-pahud (Kashay Prabhrut) written by Acharya Gunadhara based on the fifth purva-agam named Jnan-parvad, known as Jaya-dhaval-tika. Mahadavala tika is the commentary on Mahabanda the sixth volume of Shatkhanda-agam written in 62 A.D. The original scripture was secured at Moodbidri later translated into Hindi.
The lone original script was available with Acharya Nemichandra Siddantha Chakravarthy who wrote an abridged version of Shatkhand-agama for Chavundaraya in Gommatasara. Ravidevi rewrote the original script of Dhavala that existed during Chavundaraya's period, as it was in a bad state. The first attempt at translating dhavala from Prakrit to Kannada was initiated during 1967 by national award winner Pandit A Subbaiah Shastri who translated two volumes of Dhavala into Kannada. But, since then, nothing notable happened until Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji took the initiative.
Translation works of these scripture are being carried out at NIPSAR with utmost care without disturbing the genuine meaning of the original word. Classical usages are written in original forms and a dictionary of these words is appended to help to understand the meaning. Scholars well versed in both Prakrit and Kannada have been assigned this work. Prof Jeevandara Kumar Hotapeti, Dr. Padmavatamma, Mr. Jalatkumar Punjagouda and 17 other language experts are involved in the translation work. Jalathkumar Punjagouda alone translated four volumes of Jaydavala. The difficult mathematical dimensions of these works was translated and published in the third volume with the effort of Dr. Padmavatamma of Mysore.
Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt has earmarked a sum of Rs. 2 Crores toward this translation work. Translation of each volume costs Rs. 5 lakhs and additional honorarium is also paid to the translators. "It is an attempt bringing the Dhavala into local linguafranca. Bringing the universal language to common people will promote the cause of spreading the messages of Jainism, promoting Kanada language and renaissance of Prakrit language," says the man behind this vision, Shravanabelagola Seer Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji.