UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 17: History and Culture
Mahamasthakabhisheka, a great religious event, is associated with and done for who of the following?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Mahamastakabhisheka is the Jain ritual of anointing the colossal statue of Bahubali (Gommateshwara) at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka. It is held roughly once every twelve years, when the statue is bathed with milk, curd, ghee, saffron and other substances from scaffolding. Bahubali, son of the first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha, is revered in Jainism. Buddha, Mahavir and Nataraja are not the object of this ceremony.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the anointing is of Bahubali (Gommateshwara).
- (b) Buddha is not the focus of this Jain ritual.
- (c) Mahavir is the 24th Tirthankara, but the ceremony is not done for him.
- (d) Nataraja is Shiva as cosmic dancer, a Hindu form, unrelated to this ritual.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.