ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 177

ii. Shri Mahāvīrji, Rajasthan Situated in district Karauli, this luminary pilgrim place with a host of Jain temples and the luminary idol of Mahāvīra, pilgrim rest houses is fast becoming the largest Jain center in north India. The society called Digambar Jain Atiśaya Kșetra Shri Mahāvīrjī runs a number of other social institutions like Jain Vidya Sansthan (education and research centre for Jain studies), naturopathy hospital, ayurvedic dispensary and an allopathic hospital providing free health services to local residents. They have also adopted districts Savai Madhopur and Karauli to provide artificial limbs and rehabilitation support to needy people. There are full fledges schools for girls (Adarsh Mahila Vidylaya) and support to destitute and meritorious students. On the cultural front, they hold annual fair for all communities along with regular celebrations for holy days for Jains. Contact persons: Naresh K. Sethi Chairman, Digambar Jain Bhattarakaji ki Nasia, Savai Ram Singh Road Jaipur.
iii. Mahavira Vikalanga, Jaipur Run by Mahāvīra Vikalanga Samiti Jaipur, this is a complete organization to design, build and fit artificial legs (specifically prepared for each amputee). These legs provide almost complete mobility to the recipients at almost no cost. Besides they also provide means like cycles, sewing machines and other accessories to make some severely handicapped cases to enable them earn their livelihood. To date more than 1 million amputees have benefited by the program. They are now establishing their operations globally with notable achievements in Pakistan, Afghanistan). They are now establishing joint research in artificial limbs with Stanford University USA as well as extending their support in other areas such as hearing aids etc. Today they are the largest such organization in the world. Contact person: Padma Vibhushan D.R. Mehta Mahāvīra Vikalanga Samiti Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.
iv. Shravanbelgola, Karnataka Situated 140 km from Bangalore, this holy temple town with oldest and largest number Jain arts and artifacts, tallest single stone rock cut idol in the world is known for its religious and now social activities. The Mahamastakbhisheka of Monolith idol of Bahubali held every twelve years has become an international festival and celebration of Jain rituals and philosophy of renunciation. The overall development of this town by SJDMI with Svami Charu Kirti Bhattarak as its chairman has seen development of a host of educational institutions from pre primary to school, professional colleges (nursing, engineering etc, research institutes and now a university in and around Shravanbelgola. There is a
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0