Mysuru: With Shravanabelagola gearing up for the Mahamasthakabhisheka scheduled to be held from February first week in 2018, the Archaeological Survey of India is starting the work on extended rock cut steps towards Vindhyagiri hill for the convenience and welfare of devotees. With this, the hill will have fourth stairway having more than 400 steps.
Tarun Raj, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Bengaluru Circle said, “Apart from additional steps, various other developmental works including tourist amenities, compound wall, repairing of pathways, reducing the height of the existing steps on top of the hill, pipe railings, protection of inscription, signage of boards and solar lights will be provided and the project is expected to be completed by the end of this year or by mid-January. Apart from this, for the benefit of the people including the visually challenged, a 15-minute short film on Shravanabelagola and also about Mahamastakabhisheka was launched by Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami, Chairman of Managing Committee of ShravanabelgolaDigambara Jain Matt. The elderly people or those who can’t walk atop the hill, if they hear or see the short film they can come to know of the place and also the process of Mahamastakabhisheka. The proposed new steps will be 1.5 mtr in width and the stairway will have nearly 400 steps.”
Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami, with the help of golden chisel and silver hammer which was used to carve the 58.8ft monolithic statue of Bahubali situated on the top of the hill started the work for proposed new rock cut 400 steps towards Bahubali. Mahamastakabhisheka of Gomateshwara in Shravanabelagola is held once in 12 years. Last time it was held in 2006.
Speaking to media persons, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami said, “The event will be held for over one month including major religious programmes for about nine days which is expected to be held from February first week. The preparation for the event is in full swing. The matt has decided to urge the government to implement certain developmental works ahead of the mega event. The fourth stairway towards the hill was taken up since the existing three are too small to handle large influx of visitors to the place especially during peak season. The first stairway was constructed in 1908, later the second and third ones were constructed in 1967 and 1981 respectively. Apart from this, during last Mahastakabhiksheka we had come out with Bahubali Children’s Hospital. Now we have decided to expand at the cost of Rs 50 Crore by coming out with the 200-bedded hospital.”
To help the visually challenged, Arun Raj is also planning to bring out information about Shravanabelagola and Mahamastakabhisheka through braille so that the visually challenged who visit the place will not be disappointed. Apart from this, a model on Shravanabelagola may also be set up at the entrance so that visually challenged can have a feel of the hill.
