Mahamastakabhisheka: The bathing of a God
The ceremony, which comes once in 12 years and lasts over six hours, began at 10.41 am when the 1,024-year-old monolith was anointed. Priests climbed the special scaffolding and assisted pot-holders in anointing the statue with water, coconut, sugarcane juice, rice flour, herbs, milk, sandal paste, turmeric, precious stones, and 52 varieties of flowers from around the world.
Patni, a marble trader, won the right to pour the first pot by bidding the highest amount -- a staggering Rs 1.08 crore.
Image: Devotees pray at the feet of the Gomateshwara statue on the Vindhyagiri hill as the part of the Mahamastakabhisheka.
Also See: After Holy Dip