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)

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:

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.

Rally, Demand for Holiday Mark Mahavir Jayanti

Patna: April 18, 2008
Mahavir Jayanti Celebrated Image 1Image 2Image 3Image 4 Photo by Shashi Uttam The Jain community in Patna on Friday took out a rally to mark the birth of Lord Mahavir while also pressing for their demand of declaring the Mahavir Jayanti a state holiday since Mahavir was born in the state of Bihar.

The rally was taken out from the Jain Temple in Mithapur and after covering R-Block, Bir Chand Patel Marg, Income Tax roundabout, Dak Bungalow Crossing, Exhibition Road, Bakerganj, Kadam Kuan, arrived at the Congress Maidan where it turned into a public meeting.

Pradeep Jain, a senior office-bearer of the Jain Sangh in Patna, expressed his disappointment with the state government for not declaring Mahavir Jayanti a state holiday.

"Jains have only one day in a year to celebrate their faith and that too was taken away by the state government. This is highly troubling since Bihar is the birth place of Lord Mahavir," Pradeep Jain said adding the government was clearly ignoring the religious sentiments of the Jains in Bihar.

Featuring elephants, horses, and local bands, the rally included thousands of devotees chanting religious hymns with women outnumbering men in large number.

Following the rally, the Jains visited the school for blinds and fed the students.