Mahamastakabhisheka (Shravanabelagola)

Mahamastakabhisheka (Shravanabelagola)

Mahamastakabhisheka is one of the most revered events taking place in Karnataka. The festival is dedicated to Lord Bahubali in which monks bathe the world's largest monolithic statue with water and milk. Thousands of tourists visit Shravanabelagola, to witness the grand event, which is held every 12 years. The entire atmosphere is filled with the chanting of hymns by Jain monks. The 57 feet high statue is bathed with milk, sugarcane juice, and saffron paste along with showering of gold and silver flowers. Devotees rush up 618 steps to the statue, to reach a spot from where they can get the best view of all the proceedings. The last Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony was held in the year 2006 and the next one is supposed to be held in 2018