Daijiworld News Network – Bangalore (SS) - Pic Ramakrishna Bhat
Shravanabelagola, Jan 23: The first Mahamastabhisheka of this millennium was inaugurated by Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, president of India, on Sunday January 22 here.
More than hundred Jain sages and religious men among thousands of people witnessed the grandeur of the event.
The president arrived at the venue 16 minutes behind schedule amidst tight security from the helipad to the holy place. The people were in for a festive mood.
The president sought the blessings of the priest and inaugurated the Mahamastabhisheka by lighting of the traditional lamp. On the occasion, he also dedicated the Rs 1.5 crore children’s hospital to the people.
The highlight of the event was that Devegowda, former prime minister and Dharam Singh, chief minister, were seen seated on the same stage. But the absence of B Shivaram, information minister and Dr Veerendra Heggade, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, whose mother passed away in a road accident on Saturday, was very conspicuous.
The president bowed to the priests and greeted the gathering in Kannada, much to the delight of the people. He later switched over to English. The translation of the president’s English speech into Kannada was done by M P Prakash, deputy chief minister, who received the president’s praises on two occasions, for excellent translation.
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