Karkala : The 42-feet statue of Lord Bahubali was anointed with milk, sugarcane juice, sandalwood paste, paste made out of medicinal herbs and holy water in 1008 kalashas at Karkala in Udupi district on Friday, the penultimate day of the Mahamastabhisheka.

The events to wind up the festival, such as lowering of the religious flag at Bahubali Betta, the felicitation of volunteers and ‘Okkuli,’ which mark the culmination of the festival, are slated for Saturday.

Speaking at the public function held as part of the Mahamastakabhisheka festival, Oscar Fernandes, former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member, said that it was necessary to follow the teaching of Lord Bahubali. He said that unbridled consumerism was responsible for increasing greed in the society. People should realise the importance of the message of sacrifice and renunciation by Lord Bahubali and follow it.

Presiding over the function, D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, said that Lord Bahubali had given the message of peace, patience, tolerance, harmonious co-existence and equality. He had shown the path to lead an ideal life , he said.

R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner, said that various work, estimated at Rs. 15 crore, had been taken up in and around Karkala for the festival.

In order to maintain the quality of the work, a third-party inspection had been done by an engineering college, he said.

Lalitakirti Bhattaraka Pattacharya Swami of Karkala Jain Mutt, Chinmaya Sagar muni maharaj, Prasang Sagar muni maharaj, Praman Sagar muni maharaj, Nijananda Sagar muni maharaj, were present.