Hassan: They lead spartan lives, accepting food not in bowls, but in their bare hands and partaking of only what is natural in place of the packaged foods so readily available today.
And the organisers of the once in 12 years ceremony – the Mahamastakabhisheka of the towering statue of Bahubali at Shravanabelagola –have made sure the 360 Jain tyagis and matajis who have arrived for it, have their meager wants fulfilled at the temporary accommodation they have been provided at the specially created Tyagi Nagar. The day begins in the makeshift township with tyagis/matajis served food at the chowk or tin shed between 9.30 am and 11 am.
“The tyagis accept rotis, chapattis, dry fruit and such food in both their hands while standing and the matajis while seated in the chowk. When it comes to drinking water, the tyagis and matajis drink water drawn from borewells or wells,” says head of the sub-committee for Tyagi Nagar, Vimukt Jain Kumar.
A borewell has been sunk in Tyagi Nagar to make sure the matajis and tyagis don’t go thirsty. “As summer is fast approaching, the tyagis and matajis are drinking a lot of water to keep themselves cool and hydrated. We are doing everything possible to follow the rituals they are accustomed to during their stay here,” adds Mr Kumar
As the tyagis/matajis do not accept packaged milk, they are served milk freshly milked from cows or buffaloes. Even the ghee they are served is home- made and brought especially from Satara in Maharashtra.
Accommodated in rooms at Tyagi Nagar, they spend their time performing “panchakalyana” at the Panchakalyana Nagar close by.
