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Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth
These 2 parts of the Granth is a kind of work on Ashtapad literature which has never before been compiled and there hasn't been a granth written exclusively on Ashtapad.
We acknowledge with great honor and pleasure and pay our respect to all the Acharyas, scholars and authors whose articles have been collected and compiled in XX volumes specially those, whose articles have been selected and put together in this granth.
Pujya Ganivarya Naypadmasagar M. S. under his guidance we organized many exhibits and seminars. With his blessings Adhar abhisek were performed at Mumbai before sending 24 idols to New York for final installation on Ashtapad mountain at JCA.
Pujya Muni Shri Ramyadarshanvijay M. S. He advised and guided us regarding construction of Ashtapad model and various story carvings. He was instrumental in forcing us to do 5 Shikhar design as well as Ash Pratiharya carvings which in the beginning was thought to be not practical.
Pujya Shri Jinchandra M. S. who helped us all along the way for 10 years during temple construction and till Ashtapad Pratishtha was performed.
Pujya Bhadrabahu and Pujya Chandanbala shriji M. S. for their guidance and help.
We wish to thank staff at Kailashsagarsuri Gyan Mandir, Koba for giving us original Granths and books whenever needed for reference.
Many individuals have helped in collecting the articles from literature. We wish to mention about (Late) Shri Babubhai Kadiwala, Shri Prameshbhai Gandhi, Bharatbhai Hansaraj Shah, Dr. Lata Bothra, Dr. Ajitbhai Shah, Shri Mayurbhai Desai, (Late) Dr. Kamal Sogani and many other individuals whose list is endless. There were many helping hands without which such a long journey was not possible.
We wish to thank Dr. Kumarpalbhai Desai and his staff for their help in collecting the articles and guiding us in the granth printing.
Our thanks to Rahul Jain and Miss Sonali Daga who organized and put all the articles together and prepared and printed all the XX volumes at New York. At the same time we wish to thank Mr. Vimal Bordia who took care of printing at Jaipur and mailing all the volumes. He also looked after Ashtapad research activity for last 10 years at Jaipur.
Our thanks to Naresh T. Shah for his help in preparing cross reference and in the selection of articles.
Special thanks to Miss Archana Parikh who constantly helped in preparing the index and editing the articles including proof-reading. She also looked after Ashtapad research activities at L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad. She helped in organizing the meetings, seminars and research tours. Thanks to Miss Nirali Shah who helped all along in editing & proof reading. They both also helped in Pratishtha ceremonies at New York.
We wish to thank our research team members - scholars and scientists details for which will be given in part II. Special thanks to Shri Jitendrabhai Shah, director at L. D. Institute of Indology and the staff where part of research work was co-ordinated.
