Grand Mahavir Janm Kalyanak Celebration by Digamber Jains of Bangkok

May 11, 2008
by Digamber Jain Samaj, Bangkok

Mahavir Janm Kalyanak, auspicious Vedi Shuddhi and Sthapana of 1008 Shri Mahavir Swami's five (5) panchdhatu Jin Pratimaji were collectively celebrated by Digamber Jain Samaj with full vigor at Bangkok, Thailand Mandir Ji from 18th to 20th April 2008. Around 25-30 Sadharmi bandhus also traveled all the way from India and other parts of the world to participate in this wonderful event.

The whole event was well organized and successfully completed by Samaj's enthusiastic members under the able guidance of the Shreshtha Acharya of present time, Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj's disciple, Brahmachari and two Pratimadhari Shri Sanju Bhaiya Katangi. He skillfully performed all rituals and Vidhans with his thorough knowledge and understanding of Vidhis.

The Bangkok Digamber Jain Mandir was established in a small office space of one of the committee members around 3 years ago by bringing one Pratishthit panchdhatu Jin Bimb of Lord Mahavir Swami from Kishangarh, Rajasthan. At that time there were only 40-50 known Digamber Jain families in Bangkok. Today the number has grown up to around 100 families.

During this auspicious celebration, sthapana of 4 pratisthit Jin Bimbs of Lord Mahavir Swami recently brought from Jaipur was completed on a very beautiful 7 feet high Sarvobhadra Chaturdig Stambh and Mulnayak Lord mahavir's previous Jin Bimb was placed in the well decorated marble Parikar.

It is important to mention here that the Sarvobhadra marble (Chaturdig) Stambh and white marble Parikar were built in Kishangarh under the expert guidance of well known Pratishthachari from Jaipur, Shri Rajkumarji Kothari, who also specially flew to Bangkok few days ago for the vidhivat installation of Chathrdig Stambh and Parikar. Bangkok Jain Samaj is grateful to him for all his time and help in completing this Mandir in every sense for the wellbeing of DJF, Bangkok Samaj.

Shravaks took vow from Brahmachari Shri Sanju Bhaiya of doing Jin Bimb Prakshalan at least once in a week and all Shravikas present also took the vow of doing Ashtdravya Poojan once a week which created a new milestone. Shri Sanju Bhaiya gave full credit for all these achievements to his Guruvar Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj. Bangkok Digamber Jain Samaj has requested him to come again and again in future also for the Jain Dharma Prabhavana.

It is hertening to note that several DJF members have already decided to plan a trip to India in December '08 for the audience with Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj and his darshan.

It is really a proud moment for DJF, Bangkok as this is 3rd Digamber Jain Mandir in a City outside India (2 other Digamber Jain Mandir are located in London and Nairobi).

It was indeed a very colorful, memorable and once in life time event for all DJF (Digamber Jain Foundation) members. Our hearty congratulations to all Digamber jain Samaj members for making this event successful and memorable. Jains from all parts of the world are welcome to visit Our Bangkok Jain Mandir.

Please visit Blog http://www.djfmandir.blogspot.com/ for the colorful photos of this and earlier events. For any query or information, you may send e-mail to:

Jain Samaj divided over `saptrangi abhishek'

Indore, Jan 10: The proposed `saptrangi abhishek' of the Digamber Jain Samaj at Babangaja in Barwani district scheduled this month, has landed in a row with a section of the Jain Samaj apparently expressing their opposition over the `abhishek' on the plea that it will pose danger to the statue. A number of distinguished persons from the Samaj said that `abhishek' may inflict damage to the historical statue of lord Adinath , hence it should be stopped.

The `saptrangi abhishek' of lord Adinath at Babangaja, the Jain religion's one of the most sacred places in the country, is organized every 12th year. Last time also because of some controversy, the `abhishek' could not take place and now it is after 17 years that the Digamber Jain Samaj has planned `saptrangi abhishek' from January 20 to February 4 this year.

However, going by the whale of protests from a section of the Digamber Jain Samaj, the proposed `abhishek' seems to have run into rough weather. While describing the `saptrangi abhishek' as against the religious text, the Samaj youths have threatened an agitation in this regard.

So far the `abhishek' of 84 ft height of `Bhagwan Bahubali' is being performed through water. However, this year, the Babangaja Barwani Committee has decided to perform `saptrangi abhishek' which will comprise of sugarcane juice, milk, curd, coconut, water, shahad, chandan and kesar. All these materials will be rubbed on the statue of Bahubali and it is feared that with the apply of these material, it will lead to development of germs on the statue.

Rohit Dhanote, president, Digamber Jain Yuva Sangathan said the idol of lord Adinath is a symbol of the Jain religion's faith and since ancient times `abhishek' has been performed on the idol of lord Adinath only through water and `panchamrit'. Some people are trying to break this tradition which is against the religious text, he said.

Other people associated with the association said since this historical statue is already facing erosion and undergoing cement treatment for its preservation, the `saptrangi abhishek' will only cause damage to the statue.

Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav and the `saptrangi mahamastabhishek' of lord Adinath at Babangaja in Barwani district is scheduled to be organized from January 20 and it will continue till February 4. A large number of hight-profile dignitaries including the President of India, the Prime Minister, Governors of various states, chief ministers are scheduled to participate in one of the biggest religious congregations of the Jain Samaj. About seven lakh people from various parts of the country and abroad are expected to participate in this religious event.
Krishna K Jha