Statue of Ahimsa

The inspiration of the idol was given by Gyanmati Mataji in 1996.[2] Shilapujan was done in 2002.[2] More than 10,000 truck load of rock material was carved out for the purpose.[2]

The Mangi Tungi hills are one of the four siddha kshetras for the Jain community in Maharashtra, the others being Gajpantha, Kunthalgiri and Muktagiri.[7] The hills are an important pilgrimage for the Jain community, especially the local population of Marathi Jains and Kannadiga Jains.[8] There are several Jain temples at the pinnacles and at the base of the hills.[9] It is believed that 99 crore Jain munis have attained salvation from the hills.

The idol of Lord Rishabhanatha, carved out of a single rock, is 108 feet (33 m) tall (121 feet (37 m) including pedestal) and 1840 sq feet in size, and is said to be the world's tallest Jain idol.[10] It is located 4,343 feet (1,324 m) above sea level,[2] near Mangi-Tungi hills in Baglan taluka.[3][11] Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records visited Mangi Tungi and awarded the engineer of the 108 ft tall Rishabhdeva statue, C R Patil, the official certificate for the world's tallest Jain idol.[12][13]

The rural development department, led by minister Pankaja Munde, approved the initial funds of ₹18.5 crore (US$2.6 million) for the civil work in the temple area spread over 100 acres.[4]

The Panch Kalyanaka Pratistha Mahotsav of the statue was held from 11 February 2016 to 17 February 2016 at Mangi Tungi. A number of measures were taken by the local administration to deal with the expected rise in pilgrim numbers.[3]

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra had promised several development initiatives, that were likely to be undertaken by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. There were challenges getting water from the Haranbari dam at estimated cost of ₹3 crore (US$420,000).[11]

The Bhartiya Janata Party president, Amit Shah & Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Maharashtra's Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde visited the festival on 13 February 2016.[13][14][15]

Around 5000 Indra-Indrani and their family members participated in the rituals of the Panchkalyanak Mahotsav. More than 100 Jain Munis and Aryikas participated in the event.[16]

The first Mahamastakabhishek of the statue was held on 18 February 2016. The first Abhishek was performed by Shri Kamal Kumar from Lucknow, followed by Shri Suresh Jain of Teerthankar Mahavir University and Padma Bhushan Shri Veerendra Heggade of Dharamsthala. Other devotees like Shri Pannalal ji Papdiwal, Shri Binod Kumar Sethi of Dimapur and many more also got the privilege of performing the Abhishek on the first day. Panchamrit Abhishek was performed using milk, flowers, orange juice, sugar cane juice, water, saffron etc.

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  Panchamrit Abhishek of Statue of Ahimsa
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  Panchamrit Abhishek of Statue of Ahimsa
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  Panchamrit Abhishek of Statue of Ahimsa
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  Panchamrit Abhishek of Statue of Ahimsa
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  Panchamrit Abhishek of Statue of Ahimsa

• Gommateshwara statue
• Bawangaja
• Jainism in Maharashtra
• Jainism in north Karnataka
• Statue of Vasupujya

• Sangave, Vilas Adinath (2001), Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and Culture, Mumbai: Popular Prakashan, ISBN 978-81-7154-839-2

• Official website