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Kalam inaugurates Mahamastakabhisheka Shravanabelagola (Karnataka): President APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the 86th Gommateshwar Bhagawan Sri Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka Mahotsava here today which is held once in 12 years and is the first of its kind in the 21st century. Expressing happiness over getting the chance to inaugurate it, the President called for setting up a heritage centre here, which would undertake research on Jain philosophy, science and mathematics. Describing the holy place revered by Jains as a "great unifier", Kalam said the place is visited not only by Jains, but thousands of other devotees belonging to different religions throughout the year. "It is a beautiful sight of people of multiple faith and affiliations gathered to celebrate a great cultural event. The most sacred meaning of life consists of helping the establishment of the peace and harmony on the earth. This can only be achieved through the practice of Truth, Ahimsa and Vairagya by all of us," Kalam said. "The stone sculpture of Bahubali symbolizes renunciation, self- control and subjugation of ego as the first step towards salvation. The digambara form of Bahubali represents the complete victory over earthly desires and needs that hamper spiritual ascent towards divinity. Let this message travel to all parts of the country and bring forward peace and harmony among all the citizens of the nation," he added. Kalam also lauded the efforts of sculptor Aristenemi who created the Gommateshwara statue, saying he "carved out the beauty and harmony hidden in the huge rock by the skill of his hands, so creatively". "Now, when I am at Shravanabelagola standing in front of the majestic Gommateshwara statue built by Chavundaraya in 981 AD, the serenity and peace radiating in the face of the Gommateshwara inspires me," he added. He went on to say that he understood that the celebration of Mahamastakabhisheka has led to the creation of five satellite towns in and around Shravanabelagola. Kalam further said that all the activities towards the Abhishekam has been supported by State Government, Central Government, political leaders, religious leaders and people from all walks of life. "This spirit of cooperation for a common cultural endeavour should percolate in all our nation building activities," he said. The 57 foot-monolith statue, carved out of the granite bedrock of a mountain, is the tallest free-standing statue in the world. Jainism has flourished in Karnataka for over 2000 years as a vital and powerful force. In the 3rd century BC the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta came here with twelve thousand other Jain sages, and settled down in Shravanabelagola, performing austerities. The 12-day head anointing ceremony commences from February 8. The Gomateswara's statue has been carved out of a granite bedrock of a mountain and is the tallest free-standing statue in the world. Built in 981 AD, the stunning statue was carved out during the reign of king Chamundarya and the anointment ritual, which includes bathing in milk, curd, holy water and gold, will take nearly 12 days to complete. About 618 steps lead to the statue at the rocky mountain, it was carved out off. Held once in 12 years, the event in southern Karnataka has over three million people from across the world partaking in the holy ceremony to honour of Lord Bahubali or Gomateshwara, the son of legendary first Tirthankara, Adinatha, who Jain sages say, had renounced his vast kingdom in what is now a Pakistani province, to attain nirvana (salvation) at a young age. Tirthankaras are the enlightened sages of Jainism. Jainism, theologists say, was one of the most significant reform movements besides Buddhism to have separated from Hinduism and is seen as a reaction against the priestly order and nature worship of its parent faith. The distinctive principle of the faith is ahimsa or non-violence towards all living creatures in both thought and action. On Sunday, a truly secular India's fabric was further strengthened with a people's President giving one of its most awaited functions an illuminating start. Don't repeat Bajaur attack, Musharraf tells Burns Go To Top Islamabad: Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has told US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns that incidents like the attack on Bajaur Agency should not be repeated again, as it could affect the war against terrorism. During his meeting with Burns, Musharraf told the latter that air strikes like the ones in Bajaur were detrimental to the US- Pakistan joint efforts in the fight against terrorism, reports the Daily Times. "What happened in Bajaur must not be repeated," a Foreign Ministry official quoted Musharraf as telling Burns. US drones had fired missiles at the Damadola village in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal agency targeting Al Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri who was believed to be hiding there. The attack left 18 civilians dead, leading to massive protests by religious and political parties against the US and the Musharraf regime. Musharraf had earlier said that Pakistan's involvement in the 'War on Terror' was based on established principles, but it could not jeopardize its own national interests. Pakistan, Musharraf had said, would do everything to keep aloft its national solidarity. Burns regretted the loss of lives in the attack and underscored the need for improving intelligence sharing between the US and Pakistani forces to prevent such incidents from recurring. |
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