As many as 166 people were initiated through mass Vrathopadesha conducted by Acharya Sri Vardhamana Sagara Munimaharaja in Dharmasthala on Tuesday.
The people, including 110 boys, symbolically wrote ‘Omkara’ with a 'Suvarna Shalake’ on rice grains.
Acharya Sri Pushpadanta Sagara Munimaharaja and Muni Sangha members were present on the occasion.
Narasimharajapura Simhanagadde Jain Mutt seer Lakshmisena Bhattaraka Swami, addressed the gathering, said, “Jains are followers of Jineshwara. The first step towards attaining Moksha is Vrathopadesha. Only those who wear the sacred thread can enter the sanctum sanctorum of a Jain Basadi. All the vrathas should be strictly followed by those who believe in Jainism.”
Hombuja Jain Mutt seer Devendrakeerthi Bhattaraja Swami said, “Those who accept ‘Vratha’ should abstain from liquor and meat and also not consume food at night. They should follow non-violence.”
Ballet
As part of the Panchamahavaibhava, a ballet on education of the children of Adinatha Maharaja – Brahmi, Sundari, Bharata and Bahubali – was enacted on Tuesday.
The ballet artistes also enacted Adinatha teaching Brahmi script to Brahmi, Mathematics, fine arts, music to Sundari, Economics and Natya to Bharata, art of war, Ayurveda, Vaastu, Astrology and Astronomy to Bahubali.
The episode of handing over the kingdom to Bharata and Bahubali and Adinatha renouncing worldly pleasure drew a wide round of applause from the audience.
Rituals
As a part of Mahamastakabhisheka of Bahubali, the Agrodaka procession was extended until Rathnagiri. The Padabhisheka of Bahubali was held with as many 216 kalashas.
Yagamandalaradhane was held at the Yajnashale. Dhwaja pooje, Sri Bali Vidana and Mahamangalarathi were also held.
Shravanabelagola Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami will arrive at Dharmasthala on February 14 and will deliver a discourse on the occasion, temple sources added.