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Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
tempted to restore such people to Jainism after teaching them the greatness of Jain philosophy.
It is a matter of pride for Jainism that even under such complex circumstances Ailaka Chandra Sagar of Saragur lived in Bennagud and started the work of restoration. To complement this efforts, Nemisagaravarni and Santiraja Shastri established links with Wynad to spread Jain dharma. These three great men and their work to enhance Jainism and its influence in Wynad inspired Krishnayya Gouda. This was a moment of great religious profit for the Jain circles of Karnataka. The Jain community worshipped Jina statues and uttered Panchanamaskara Manthra and followed Jain rituals. Creation of a separate Jain Chapel in every house and following all the worship rituals as per traditions as existed here for a long time. This is a fine evidence for the growth of Jainism.
The Parswanatha Thirthankara statue worshipped by Krishnayya. Gouda was inherited by late Ananthayya Gouda. The worship of the same was continued by Subbayya Gouda. The Goudas who came later have piously followed Jain austerities and forms of worship with dedication.
Krishna Gouda practised Jainism for 14 years and celebrated "Ananthanompi" as per rituals and also did the investiture ceremony. To commemorate his father Padmayya Gouda's ascension to heaven a Jain temple was built with Ananthathirthankara Statue in the Sanctorum. The installation ceremony, the Panchakalayana festival was celebrated with great pomp for 12 days (30.01.1933 to 10.02.1933) and the place was later named Ananthakrishnapuram.
On the right side of the Anantha Jain temple Krishna Gouda has built a 'Jain students' Hostel' in the name of his holy mother. Even I was a resident of this hostel and I respectfully recall with pride, the rare opportunity given to me to go through spiritual as well as worldly education there from 1953-1957. Presently the hostel is now established two kilometers away at Karadimannu. The hostel now named M. K. Padmaprabha Gouder Memorial Hall is being used as a marriage hall. At the hostel students are given spiritual education as per daily routine of Jainism under the supervision of Srikantha Bhujabali Shastri. Besides provision for formal education in nearby school has also been made.
Mr. Krishna Gouda got a water sheet dug up with stone platform and beautified the nearby natural cave and improvised it is a shelter for Jain mendicants. Charukirthi Pandithacharyavaryaswami of Shravanabelagola who was present during the celebration suitably rewarded Sree Krishnayya Gouda with the title "Jainadharma Bhushana" and blessed him on 06.02.1933. Behind all this we can see the fruits of successful spiritual efforts made by Nemisagara Varni and Santiraja Sastri.
The awardee Krishnayya Gouda was the recipient of a Congratulatory certificate from Mysore Jain Association. On the occasion impressed by the piety and social service of Sri Santiraja Sastry. The monk from Sravanabelagola honoured him with the title "Jaina Sastra Visarada".
The pulsating Jain life of Wynad today seen in the Pious Jain inhabitants, temples and their sincere performance of daily oblations are the result of the strong foundation laid by Sri Krishnayya Gouda and Sastry with their capacity for guidance and foresight. Even today besides the daily routine, special pooja nompi, peace festival, Mahavir Jayanti, Dasalakshana Parva, spiri
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