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DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT OF JAINISM IN INDIA.... PUNJAB
Philanthropists :
Lala Gangaram (Ambala), Gopichand Advocate (Ambala), Mangatram (Ambala), Manakchand Chhotelal Dugad (Gunjaranwala), Pyaralal Rai Saheb (Gunjaranwala), Lala Gujarmal and Daulatram (Hoshiapur), Lala Kharaitilal Jain (Delhi), Lala Ramlal Inderlal (Delhi), Lala Ratanchand Rikhabdas (Delhi), Lala Dinanath Devraj (Delhi), Lala Makanlal Pyarelal Munhani (Delhi), Lala Labhchand Rajkumar (Faridabad), Lala Sunderlal Shantilal Jain (Delhi), Lala Sadaram Jain (Samana), Lala Choonilal (Amritsar), Lala Nemdas B.A. (Ambala), Lala Jaswant Rai Dharmchand (Delhi), Shri Jawaharlal Oswal (Ludhiana), Shri Abhay Kumar Oswal (Ludhiana) Lala Shanti Swarup Jain (Hoshiarpur), Shri Birchand Raj Kumar Jain (Enkay-Delhi), Shri Devendra Kumar Narinder Kumar (Cosco-Delhi), Shri Chand Prakash Jain (Jandiala-Guru), Shri Komal Kumar Jain (Duke-Ludhiana), Shri Rajkumar Pradeep Jain (Jalandhar), Dr. Sudesh Kumar Jain (Samana) Shri Ramesh Kumar Jain (Swastik-Ludhiana), Shri Rajneesh Jain (Jandiala-Guru), Lala Navalchand Mohanlal Jain (Ghaziabad), Kashmiri Lal Jain (Ludhiana).
Festivals & Celebrations :
When the Sun transits from one Rashi (sign of Zodiac) to the next, a new solar month begins. The first day is called Sankranti. It is considered to be auspicious to hear the name of that month first from some Guru. This Sankranti Parva has become a special festival now.
Bhagwan Mahavira Jayanti and Jayantis of Gurudevas, Parva Paryushana, Samvatsari, Dashalakshani Parva, Pratikramana, Ratha yatra, The Annual Flag hoisting of a Temple, Pilgrimage, Deevali, New Year, Gyan Panchami and Purnima of Kartika month and several other religious functions are celebrated.
Popular festival of Lohri, Holi, Vasanta Panchami, Vaishakhi, Guru Purnima, Teej of Shravan, Raksha Bandhan, Ananta Chaudas, Navaratre, Dashehra, Karva Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami and Bhai Dooj are also celebrated with fan fare in the practical life of the community.
Besides, many regional Melas (fairs) are also held in the North India. These are mainly :
On the 1st of the bright fortnight in Lehra (Zeera) Gurudham, In Kangra pilgrims centre Holi Yatra Mela, in Hastinpur Holi Milan Mela, Akshay Teej Parana Mela and Kartik Purnima Mela. In the Vijaya Vallabh Smarak Delhi a grand Parshvanath Jayanti (Paush, Vadi 10th) fair and on the 1st of October a great Bhakti evening are celebrated in honour of Mata Padmavati. The yearly Mela of Mata Chakreshvari Devi in Sirhind held in the month of Ashvin and a Mela on the New Year are very famous. Also in Nakodar an annual festival of Chakreshvari Devi is held and further, nice religious functions of the small and big Dadavadis of Delhi are also worth seeing.
Places of Jain Pilgrimage & Monuments :
1. Unique 151 feet High Shri Ashtapad Mandir all built in stone to last 1000 years a Replica of the Temple in Himalayas at the Nirvana Site of Tirthankar Rishabha Dev, Bhagwan Rishabh Dev Parna Mandir, 12 Kalyanak Main Mandir of Three Tirthankars Bhagwan Shantinath, Kunthunath & Arrahnath and Shri Jambudweep Rachna etc. in the Hastinapur religious complex. 2. Very artistic and architecturally beautiful Shri Vallabh Smarak Shrine
all built in stone and Mata Padmavati Mandir, Delhi.
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