Guruji was remembered by all at Siddhachalam on April 25 by 24-hour jaap of Navkar Mantra by Harshaben Patel and others, bhajans by Vardhman Bhakti Mandal group lead by Mukeshbhai Somani, and by devotees and yatris gathering at Guruji’s tapasya sthal for Navkar Mantra and spring unveiling of his pratima there.
Guruji left for devlok on April 22, 1994 at New Delhi. Each year, his punya tithi is observed by jaap and puja. Starting 2009, there will also be spring unveiling of his pratima situated at his tapasya sthal. Nearly 500 yatris participated in the event.
Mahavira Janm Kalyanak/ Shikharji at Siddhachalam Project on April 26, 2009
Siddhachalam celebrated Mahavir Swami’s janm kalyanak with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm on April 26. The day started with Snatra Puja and bhajans by Bhadribhai and Leenaben Lodaya, Prakashbha Shah, Mahendrabhai Shah, Kiritibhai Shah, Jayantibhai Galaiya, Dineshbhai and Heenaben Chheda, Mukeshbhai Shah, Kiritbhai Shah, Sultan Singh and Usha Jain, Mulchandbhai Momaya, Bipinbhai Momaya, Alok and Sonia Jain, Rashmi Jain, Champaben Bid, Narendra Gupta, among others.
Generous support was received from Yatinbhai and Manita Shah for Aarti Shantikash, Pankajbhai Javeri and family for Mangal Devo, and from Mahendrabhai and Chandra Mehta, Champaben Bid, Shahshikant and Surbhi Sheth, and Dr Subhash and Sarla Jain.
Shikharji at Siddhachalam
Teerthraj Shri Sammed Shikharji in Giridhi, Jharkhand, is the sacred place where 20 of the 24 Tirthankars of the current avasarpini attained moksha. Yatra to Shri Shikharji involves darshan of its 31 toonks, among other sacred places and temples.
Siddhachalam’s decision to bring Shikharji yatra experience to Siddhachalam by placing all 31 toonks on our trails was received with enormous support and enthusiasm by all. Lead by Sonia Jain, a vargoda rath yatra of Shikharji’s picture was taken from the main temple to the marble model toonk accompanied by bhajans and music. The palki containing Shikharji’s picture was carried, and generous financial support was provided by, Kiritbhai and Swati Kothari, Anil and Renu Agarwal, and Pankaj and Varsha Shah.
At the model toonk, five display boards, each measuring 36″ x 48″, were used to explain the making of Shikharji at Siddhachalam. Siddhachalam President and Vice Chairman Jaipat Singh Jain, who conceived of the idea of Shikharji with help from the board of trustees of Siddhachalam, explained the project. The work for the presentation and for the boards was ably done by Atul Jain, architect.
About 600 yatris participated in the events.
Keshi said to Gautam: “Whom do you call foes?” Hearing these words of Keshi, Gautam replied: “O sage! The first foe is one’s unconquered soul. Add to this the four passions of anger, conceit, deceit and greed, and the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Vanquishing all these ten, I move about righteously.” Kumar-shraman Keshi said: “Gautam, you are endowed with excellent wisdom. You have removed my doubt…” Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23:3- 39. The conversation between Sharman Keshi, follower of Bhagwaan Parsvanath, and Gautam Swami, the ganadhara of Bhagwaan Mahavira.