Jain Pilgrim Center of Sravanbelagola

The Jain pilgrim center of Sravanbelagola is Hassan District is the scene of a big anointing ceremony once in twelve years. The 17 meter high monolithic state of Gomateswara on the Vindhagiri hill is the site of this ceremony. Jains from all over India participate is this. The Fair was last held on 19th December, 1993. "Mahamastakabhisheka", the head-anointing ceremony of the 17 meter tall monolith in the afternoon of the last day. In all there were 28 gold, 20 silver, 240 bronze pots that carried the water for the "Jalabhisheka". This over, devotional music chanting from the holy Jain scriptures and rituals took place.

Thousands of priests climbed up the scaffolding with pots of milk and poured more than 200 liters of milk on the head and shoulders of the statue. Then there was a second round of milk. The milk was washed down with coconut water. Next was poured sugarcane juice. Honey and sandal paste and then turmeric mix flowed down the statue. Devotees scrambled to the holy feet to taste the nectar. This was followed by a rose water and saffron bath. Of the 1008 pots used 900 were used for the first anointing, 103 for the second and five for the final stage of the ceremony in the presence of thousands.