Karkala: The Jain mega event, which occurs once in 12 years, the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony of Lord Bahubali,  was officially inaugurated by Vinay Kumar Sorakke, Urban Development Minister on Wednesday January 21.

Speaking after the inaugural, Sorake said, “Mahamastakabhisheka is a holy festival.  Lord Bahubali’s message of peace and sacrifice through his own life must be propagated in society. He is a role model for all of us”.
The minister added, “the statue of Karkala is the pride to our district. Our state is known for its spiritual tradition and culture. Sacrifice and non-violence is the basic foundation of any religious preaching and he Jain cult stands on the similar beliefs”.

The Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Abhaychandra Jain said, “Tenancy reforms had put a break on the festival for years, however the youth of those ages unitedly worked for the temple to keep the tradition alive for a life time. After the issue was settled, the ritual continued. This is one of the best traditions in India. He added, “his philosophy ‘live and let others live’ should be followed by the new generation”.

Udupi-Chikamgalur MP Shobha Karandlaje,said, “the increasing violence in the country is posing a threat to the peace loving culture of the nation. The harmony that existed in the nation since ages is disappearing and the ideals of Bahubali are more relevant than ever in the current scenario”. 

Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, who was scheduled to inaugurate the ceremony, could not make it.