Dharmasthala : Jains geared up for the fourth edition of Mahamastakabhisheka rituals getting under way with a santh sammelan at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala on Friday, by offering a horaekanike. Members of the community from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts came forward in large numbers to contribute their might to the once-in-12-years anointment of the monolith located at Ratnagiri.

Organising committee of Mahamastakabhisheka led by D Harshendra Kumar and D Surendra Kumar, brothers of the dharmadhikari, received the devotees led by M N Rajendra Kumar, president, SCDCC Bank, Pushparaj Jain, MD, Abhish Builders, K Rajavarma Ballal, leading private bus operator and other leading members of the community, at the main entrance of the temple, and took them in a grand procession to the storage facility at the Sri Kshetra.

D Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari, who met community members at the storage facility, said it is their contribution that will aid in the successful conduct of the rituals which formally commence on Saturday. Heggade also invited all of them to visit the kshetra with their family, take part in the religious rituals, and obtain the grace of Bhagwan Bahubali. The actual anointment rituals will be held for three days starting from February 16.

Incidentally, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy will inaugurate and dedicate the first phase of four-laning work at the kshetra on the first day of mahamastakabhisheka rituals starting from Saturday. PWD minister H D Revanna will dedicate various development works while minister for minor irrigation C S Puttaraju will formally exchange the MoU for ‘Kere Sanjeevani’ programme mooted between SKDRDP and the government.