Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated in Bangalore

BANGALORE: Messages of non-violence and virtue reverberated in the air even as the city was painted in riotous colours marking Mahaveer Jayanti.

The 2610th birth anniversary of the last Tirthankara saw thousands take part in celebrations across the city. Organized by various Jain organizations, colourful processions, meetings and religious discourses marked the day. Speakers lauded the "Ahimsa Paramo Dharma" (the principles of non-violence and virtue) taught by Bhagwan Mahaveer and its relevance in the present day scenario.

The day began with the idol of Mahaveer being given a ceremonial bath followed by several rituals. Later, Maha Mastakabhisheka of Lord Mahaveer and special puja were held. Religious discourses and cultural activities were held throughout the day.

Speaking at a function in Freedom Park organized by the Jain Youth Association in Gandhinagar, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa lauded the contribution of Jain poets to Kannada literature.

"For ages, Jainism has been an integral part of Indian ethos. The rituals, teachings and religious roots of Jainism have assimilated into Indian culture. Through truth, non-violence, celibacy and rigorous achievement, Lord Mahaveer has been a trend-setter. The contributions by Janna, Pampa and Ponna to Kannada literature will remain forever. Mahatma Gandhi has proven that we can win with non-violence," Yeddyurappa said.

TRAIN TO BE RENAMED

Union minister of state for railways K H Muniyappa promised to rename either the Mysore-Jaipur train or Bangalore-Jodhpur train as Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Express. The Jain community members requested the CM to name the Metro railway station near Mysore Bank Circle after Lord Mahaveer.

MARCH FOR WORLD PEACE

Also known as the World Peace Day, the celebrations began with a peace march organized by Jain Yuva Sanghatan. The procession which was flagged off at Town Hall made its way through the narrow lanes of Nagarthpet, Chickpet via BVK Iyengar road to Freedom Park where thousands had gathered to spread the words of Mahaveer __ non-violence and peace.

There were multiple tableaus enacting various scenes from the Jain Mythology, life of Mahaveer. Mahaveer Janam Kalyanak was celebrated by the abhishek of the idol of Lord Mahaveer.

Sree Mahaveer Sangha organized a programme at Vimanapura, Old Airport Road. A procession of Lord Mahaveer Jain with 108 mangala kalasa was taken out on the morning followed by a religious function and later culminated with a cultural programme depicting the life story of Lord Mahaveer.

A book titled `Karnataka Digambar Jain Mandirs' was released on at a programme organized by the Karnataka Jain Association. It was followed by discourse of Jain teachings.

The Khandelwal Digamber Jain Samaj, Wilson Garden, held its festivities at the Digambar Jain Temple. A massive rally with all grandeur and royal decoration marked the celebrations.

Jain Temple Selling Its Treasure!

Adinath Jain Shwetambar temple in Chikpet will auction its artefacts to fund its expansion plans!

Bangalore Mirror Bureau

Posted On Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 09:26:33 AM

A Jain temple in Bangalore has decided to auction some of its artefacts to fund its renovation and expansion plans.
This is what the management of the century-old Shri Adinath Jain Shwetambar temple in Chikpet will do on March 10. The auction, titled ‘Mystery of Chikpet’, will be conducted by city-based auction house Bid & Hammer at ITC Windsor. A preview of the collection will be held at the Bid & Hammer Preview Hall in Jayanagar 5th Block from Feb 27 to March 5.

FAVOURITE TEMPLE

The temple, one of the favourites of the Jain community in the city, has a fascinating history as its original Spartan-style construction was subsequently improved upon by artisans from different parts of the country.

The temple is being expanded to accommodate its growing number of devotees. It is in this backdrop that it was decided to dismantle the temple and auction the artefacts to construct a new temple.

This is perhaps the first time in the country that the auction of temple architecture is taking place.

139 ITEMS

The collection includes 139 architectural and related objects, Pahari School paintings of Lord Mahaveera, the divine guardians of Chikpet, colonial dwarapals, silver doors, vintage Art Nouveau Majolica Ceramic tiles, architectural pillars and other masterpieces.

The auction also encompasses related items such as original antiquarian prints, traditional paintings and works of art to complement the star architectural lots.

One of the chief attractions are a set of six stained teakwood colonial pillars with four apasaras carved at the top. The divine guardians or Chikpet apasaras are a creative amalgamation of eastern and western styles with distinct references to Roman, Victorian and Christian influences. These pillars are expected to fetch Rs 35 lakh to Rs 42 lakh.

LARGE-SCALE EXPANSION

Maher Dadha, chairman and managing director, Bid & Hammer, said the expansion plans did not allow the temple to retain these artefacts. “Most of the items were added when renovations began about 80 years ago. However, the current expansion plans are on a larger scale, so these items will fall short in terms of size.”

The proceeds of the auction will be used for rebuilding the temple. The bidding price will begin at Rs 7,500 and can go up to Rs 42 lakh.