It is a sight for the Gods to behold and savour the grand anointment or the Mahamastakabhisheka to the statue of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola. This ancient town is located about 110 kms from Bangalore and 90 kms from Mysore in the south Indian state of Karnataka. The statue of Gomateshwara is peched atop a hillock and is the tallest monolithic statue in the world towering to about 58 feet and clearly belongs to the ancient world and to a different epoch in human history. It was completed in 978 A.D and the grand anointment to this apostle of non-violence is held once in 12 years. The last such spectacle took place in 2006 and the next mega event is scheduled for 2018. So be there to witness this once-in-a-life-time event

The images are enduring. And they have cast a spell on millions who have witnessed the first Grand Anointment to the statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain monk and an apostle of non-violence and peace. The statue is dated around 978 A.D. when the tallest monolithic statue of the ancient world was sculpted atop the Vindhyagiri Hills in Shravanabelagola. The collosal statue towers about 58 feet and the sublime smile of the saint is captivating. The Mahamastakabhisheka or the Grand Anointment takes place once in 12 years and these images are from the 2006 edition of the spectacular event. The trek up the granite hill atop which the statue is situated, is an exercise in endurance and is a "must-see" for tourists.