Darmathala : The curtain raising events have begun on 02 Januray 2019 with the ceremony of scaffolding inception for the Dharmasthala Maha Mastakabhisheka 2019. The 62 feet tall scaffolding that is to frame the Bahubali statue for the ceremony will henceforth be constructed, after Dr. D veerendra Heggade ritualistically gave the process a start.
The scaffolding inception took place with a ritual conducted by Jain priests at Rathnagiri in the presence of Dr. Heggade, Maatrushree Hemavathi Heggade, Shri D Surendra Kumar, Shri D Harshendra Kumar, Dr. B Yashovarma, Smt.Shraddha Amit and Nishchal Jain. After the rituals, the first metal pillar for the scaffolding was erected using a crane and the process was given a symbolic start.
The scaffolding around the 39 feet tall statue will be 62 feet high, and is being constructed by Mahavir Prasad Industries from Bantwal. It will be 6 storied and shall weigh 80 tonnes, ranging 16.7 meters wide. The capacity of the scaffolding will be 400-500 people at a time. There will be steps for people to ascend the scaffolding from the back, as well as reserved space for anointment fluids. The scaffolding shall also have two types of lifts – one for anointment materials, and another for people. The lifts shall be backed up with pulley cradles incase of unexpected technical glitch. Construction of the scaffolding will be complete by 15 January 2019.