Dharmasthala : Acharya Sri Vardhamana Sagar Muni and his group of disciples arrived at Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, ahead of Mahamastakabhisheka getting under way here on February 9, to a grand reception on Thursday.

D Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari, and other members of the Mahamastakabhisheka organising Committee received them at main entrance of the temple and took them in a grand procession to Chandranath basadi where they will be housed.

In his benedictions, the acharya said dharma is for betterment of all beings and gives peace and tranquillity. Implementing dharma brings about betterment of the soul, the acharya who had darshan on Sri Chandranath Swami and witnessed puja offered to the deity, said there is general equality for people irrespective of their religion at the kshetra. “This (Dharmasthala) is the land of dharma and treats everyone alike,” the acharya averred.

“Religious rituals of every religion are different. Non-violence (ahimsa) is the best dharma, and all should give importance to this tenet of life. Bhagwan Mahavir Swami gave amicable solutions to various problems with his outlook to life. Veerendra Heggade installed an idol of Lord Bahubali in reverence to wishes of his mother Rathnamma and it is our good fortune to witness Mahamastakabhisheka as per rituals set down every 12 years,” he said.

Heggade, who received the acharya and his group, said the Kshetra is blessed with the arrival of the seer. The acharya had led and guided preparations for the past two Mastakabhishekas held at the Kshetra, he said, while requesting the seer to do so for the third anointment event of the monolith. The blessings and guidance of the acharya, known for his patience, control and tolerance, will certainly ensure the success of the anointment event, he noted.