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India: The Bathing of a Saint

Eternal flame at Bahubali's Feet - Image Copyright 2002 Tewfic El-Sawy
The Mahamasthakabhisheka is an important Jain festival held once every twelve years in the town of Shravanabelagola in the state of Karnataka (India). The festival is held in veneration of the 18 meter high statue of the Bhagwan (or Saint) Gomateshwara Bahubali. The most recent anointment took place in February 2006, and the next ceremony will occur in 2018.

As the Mahamasthakabhisheka begins, consecrated water is sprinkled onto the participants by devotees carrying 1008 specially prepared vessels. The statue is then bathed and anointed with libations such as milk, sugarcane juice, and saffron paste, and sprinkled with powders of sandalwood, turmeric, and vermilion. Offerings are made of petals, gold and silver coins, and precious stones.

I did not attend the Mahamasthakabhisheka, but I traveled to Shravanabelagola in 2002, and experienced for myself how arduous it is to climb up (and eventually down) the endless stairs that the pilgrims take up to the statue. An incredible site of tremendous significance for Jains, and highly recommended when a festival is scheduled.

Michael Robinson Chavez, a photographer with the Washington Post, documents the unique festival of Mahamastakabhisheka.


Here's the Slideshow