Mahavir Jayanti’ celebrated

New Delhi, Apr. 7 (ANI): ‘Mahavir Jayanti’, the birthday of Lord Mahavir, was celebrated today with religious zeal and gaiety across the country.

President Pratibha Singh Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have greeted citizens of the country on the occasion.

In her message, President Patil said: “May the message of Lord Mahavir, of love, compassion and peace, guide our conduct and inspire us to follow the path of ”Ahimsa” for good of all humanity.”

“On the occasion of ‘Mahavir Jayanti’, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens,” she added.

Vice President Ansari urged the countrymen to imbibe Mahavir’’s teachings for promoting peace and enduring happiness of humanity.

“Bhagwan Mahavir, through his divine life and teachings, showed us the path of non-violence, truthfulness, peace and universal love. His teachings are relevant at all times to emancipate mankind from suffering and to ensure peace and happiness through spiritual excellence,” he said.

Prime Minister Dr. Singh said: “Lord Mahavir’’s life and philosophy inspires everybody to lead a life of compassion, sacrifice and non-violence.”

On the occasion, Dr. Singh also wished the countrymen happiness and prosperity. (ANI)

Devotees pray to Jain lord

SHALINI SABOO

Ranchi, April 18: People across the capital practised the moral virtues of non-violence and truth while propagating the teachings of Lord Mahavir, the last of the 24 Tirthankaras.

Mahavir Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of the leader, was celebrated across the state capital today.

Jain temples were busy hosting cultural programmes to mark the holy occasion. At Digambar Jain Temple in the Upper Bazaar area, 1,008 pots (kalash) were dedicated in the memory of the leaders.

Speaking on the occasion,C.M. Gangwal, the president of the Pradesh Jain Sabha, said: “Over 2,000 years ago, Mahavir, the personification of God for the Jains, left us but his teachings remain relevant even in the contemporary society.”

Later during the day, a shobha yatra was organised by the members of the community, where over a thousand devotees participated. The two-hour procession, which passed through all major lanes of the capital, had a deity of the lord with beautiful jhakis accompanying it. The jhakis depicted the teachings of the lord.

Mahavir Prasad Sogani, the secretary of the state Jain Sabha, said: “The celebrations will continue till tomorrow evening.Children will also participate in bhajans and a dance drama, enacting the virtuous preaching of the saint. Mayor Rama Khalkho will be the chief guest.”
The celebrations at the Swetambar Jain Temple in Doranda were simple.

“We started the day after praying to lord Mahavir. This year, we have resolved free our community from all evils, especially dowry and illiteracy,” said L.K. Jain, a devotee.

CM assures people of erecting new statue of Bhagvan Mahavir at Mollem

NT News Service
Ponda, March 31 The police have failed to achieve any breakthrough in the case of disfiguring of the Lord Mahavir statue, reported on March 27 at Nandrem, Mollem. This has triggered tension among the members of the Jain community who were forced to meet the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat.

Mr Kamat has assured a delegation of Jain community that the statue of Bhagvan Mahavir erected along the Karnataka-Goa highway in Mollem would be replaced with a new one.
Mr Kamat made this assurance during his visit to Mollem to see for himself the reported damage caused to the statue by unknown miscreants. He instructed the police to pursue the case seriously and book the culprits as early as possible. The Forest Minister, Mr Filip Neri Rodrigues, accompanied Mr Kamat.

Mr Omkar Singh, chief conservator of forests, senior officials of forests and police departments were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister during the course of discussions with the delegation who handed over the memorandums to him and Mr Rodrigues said that the existing statue of Bhagvan Mahavir would be shifted to the state museum.

The statue, according to information, was installed at the entrance of the  National Park of Mollem Wild Life Sanctuary.

It may be noted that in the past too, a case of desecration of idols was reported here in areas under the Collem police station.

  The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, Forest Minister, Mr Filipe Neri Rodrigues alongwith the police and forest officials taking a stock of the damaged Lord Mahavir at the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday.