Jain Journal 2000 10

SR No.: 520140
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 70
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 50

NEWS ON JAINISM AROUND THE WORLD
93
Triplicane, have been celebrating 'Parvaparyusanparv, Lord Mahavir's birth-day.
And with such fanfare and religious fervour that it will take quite a while for the din of celebration in the seedy, festooned streets to die down.
In the over 32 Jain temples (unosficial sources say there are 50 Jain temples) across the city, there has been much festivity over the last eight days.
J Fatheraj Jain, member of the Sri Rajendrasuriswarji Jain Trust, says Sowcarpet's Mint street alone (that has about eight Jain temples), has witnessed a daily crowd turnout of about 10,000 people.
The festival was preceded by floats and chariot-processions to welcome the high priests. The Chadraprabhuswamy temple, a marvel in marble, is the biggest in the area. All Jain temples are elaborately done up in lights, flowers and streamers.
And the entire Jain community has been in it together, observing week-long--sometimes month-long-prayers and fasting, consuming nothing but boiled water. Shops have downed their shutters, and men, women and children flock to the temples night and day, dressed in their best sinery.
In the footsteps of tradition, some have even abstained from wearing footwear, lest they step on ants and insects. Or the many dictates of the celebrations is an absolute reverence to all creatures big and small. Which is why, you discover, that the Jain community doesn't mind the fly and mongrel infested streets of downtown Sowcarpet.
To them, it is an opportunity to express solidarity with every one of God's creations. As 40-plus Mohinidevi, who has been living in the Ravaniyar street for 20 years now, having come from her hometown in Rajasthan after her marriage to a Jain trader here, would say, in impeccable Tamil, “Today, nothing can convince us to go back to our home-town in Rajasthan." The celebrations will be rounded off tomorrow with a four-hour prayer session.
After that it will back to business of life.
The New Indian Express, September 14, 1999