Anointment of the Bahubali

I have shot this image at Shrvanabelagola in Karnataka state of India. In this image we seeing the ceremony called Mahamasthakabhisheka or the head anointing ceremony is performed once in 12 years to the 57 feet tall monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali. This is a very rare event to witness as it happens only once in 12 years. On this day, the gigantic idol of the Lord is smeared with 1008 jal kalashas or pots from devotees arriving from various parts of the world. On the day of the ceremony, the devotees begin to worship the Lord early morning. The 1008 vessels or pots are kept beneath the idol. The priests chanting divine hymns ask the devotees to carry the vessels, climb around 600 stairs t...View all