Gomateshwara statue brought to life in vibrant hues as annual ceremony concludes with grand celebrations

The 16-foot-tall statue of Gomateshwara at Gommatagiri near Mysuru came alive in different hues during the Mahamastabhisheka performed here on Sunday.

It was the grand finale of a three-day event, during which the anointment took place each day, starting from December 13, and was preceded by a set of elaborate rituals on December 12.

The greyish-black granite statute shimmered in different colours and changed hues from white to yellow and copper red as the devotees poured milk, sandal, and water mixed with kum kum and other ingredients.

Devotees in hundreds, who had gathered to witness the annual event, chanted slogans and hymns in praise of Bhagwan Bahubali whose statue was the cynosure of all eyes during the grand anointment ceremony. Conducted under the auspices of Sri Gommatagiri Seva Samithi, this was the first time that the anointment was held for three days preceded by another day of elaborate rituals.

J. Manmath Raj of Sri Gommatagiri Seva Samithi said, “Though the statue of Bahubali belongs to the mid-13th century, the Samithi came into existence in 1950. Since then, the mastaksbhisheka has been conducted annually. The grand celebration was carried out on all three days to mark the 75th year of the Samithi.”

The ceremony was inaugurated by Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar in the presence of senior pontiffs of various Jain mutts on December 13.

Gommatagiri is located off the Mysuru-Hunsur highway and is about 24 km from Mysuru city. The monolithic statue is perched atop a hillock and oversees the backwaters of the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir.

The statue of Gomateshwara is one of the many that have been chiseled and established at hillocks since historical times in different places in the south Karnataka region where Jainism had a strong foothold. The most famous one is the 57-foot-tall statute at Shravanabelagola. However, the Mahamastaksbhisheka at Shravanabelagola takes place once in 12 years, and the last such event was held in 2018, while the anointment is held at Gommatagiri every year.

Art historians said that the Gomateshwara statue at Gommatagiri has a striking resemblance to its famous counterpart at Shravanabelagola including the serene smile.

Based on artistic style, the statue is said to be an early Vijayanagara creation, according to Mysore Gazetteer.

Published - December 15, 2024 07:04 pm IST