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Shramani vihar in Palitana
A permanent relief for Sadhviji Bhagwant
The Charipaalak padyaatra sangh, inspired by Dharmasuri Maharaj was entering into the final stage of its existence. It had been a long-long journey of 72 days commencing from Mumbai, with the pilgrims moving 10-15 kms a day, walking bare feet. They were now within the 20 km distance from the Palitana town and the immaculate Shatrunjay hill had become clearly visible to everyone. It's a place where our Scriptures signify the liberation of infinite souls at every smallest piece of its rock! The moment devotees find up its smallest of view from anywhere, they stop their vehicles, come out and pay the obeisance, bowing down to their hearts for this hill, what might have been in the heart of the pilgrims, who sweated such a long period of time to reach their destination? They were eager to worship the sacred idol of Aadinath Bhagwaan, situated on the top of the hill and make themselves free from the intact impurities, but before they reach the town, their relatives and friends, arrived in great numbers, started rapidly occupying the rooms for their accommodation, they would require during the ceremonial days, organized for the
successfully completion of the sangh. The dharmashalas weren't so sufficient to accommodate the host of devotees pouring in the town and hence, finding out the extreme demand for their rooms, the owners increased their fares mostly twice times than before! Still, people were found roaming here and there, searching for the vacant rooms available, with a will to pay the desired amount to the owners! The conditions were looking so horrible with everyone fighting just for a single matter and that was to occupy the rooms!
But the whole burden of this gamble fell on the Sadhviji Bhagwant, who too had arrived in huge numbers to witness the success solemnization. They were surely having nothing to afford and hence, the Dharmashaala owners were puzzled where to allot them the accommodation facility as if they start issuing them the rooms, it would ruin their chance of making big money. There was a serious conflict between the devotion and greed! These owners of dharmashalas weren't' the Non-Jain! They were the same Shravak, whom you might find in the upaashray of their areas, pleadings and requesting
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