Jain Center of America NY 2005 06 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center of America NY
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY

Page 74

celebration followed by Abhishek and Shantidhara of all the pratishtit Murti. Being the main day for the Digambar tradition no other tradition kept any event during this time. The afternoon was for Purnahuti of the sthapna celebration with Vishwa Shanti Maha Yagna, Shantipaath, Visarjan and Samapan. The above ceremony was followed by 1" Bhakti-Bhavna in Adinath temple in the evening,
Swetambar Tradition had Shri Sarswati Aradhana /Poojan at Mahavirswami Temple under the guidance of Shri Jinchandraji (Bandhu Triputi), Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and Shri Nareshbhai S. Shah. About (50) fifty families participated in this Aradhana on beautiful Sarswatidevi's pratimas specially made from Kadamb wood for this occasion. All participants had privilege to take the Pratimaji at their home. It was a unique aradhana in which lot of youngsters also participated. They were explained the ritual in English by Shri Kayvan Nandu.
Swamivatsalya lunch was in the Temple and Dinner was at St. Johns University which and religious discourse by ShriAtmanandji & Acharya Shri Jinchandraji and Bhakti Bhavna and Rass-Garba at Gymnasium of St. John University followed the day.
Dav Seven Thursday, June 16, 2005
All the traditions together celebrated the day with Jal-Yatra (Varghodo-Procession). The procession started from temple Ithaca Street and marched about 12 blocks to culminate back at the temple. The procession was joined by Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanu, Shri Jinchandraji, Bhattrak Shri Devendrakirtiji, Acharyashri Chandnaji, Acharyshri Jinchandrasuri, Shri Manak Muni, Shri Amrendra Muni, Samanijis, Shri Atmanandji, Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, Padmshri Kumarpal Desai, Shri Nalinbhai Kothari, Shri Shantibhai Kothari and many other monks and scholars. Shravak, Shravikas and young Jains. All the traditions joined the procession with their colorful floats and bands. The procession looked beautiful due to majority of shravaks in Indian dresses with safas and turbans and Shrvikas with red or green color saris and beautiful Kumbh on their heads. More then 1200 people joined the procession. Everyone in the procession was dancing and jumping on the tunes of religious songs in very pleasant & joyous mood. Either side of the route of procession was full of spectators of local community.
The procession followed by Ashirvachan from all present Sadhus, Sadhvijis and Scholars and dignitaries in the fully packed Upashrya Hall. Dr. Rajnikant Shah and Shri Nareshbhai S. Shah were honored by JCA, presenting flower bouquets to them.
The afternoon had another main event for Sthanakvasi Tradition. They had Paat Sthapan and Navkarmantra Sthapan followed by Samayik and religious discourse by Acharyashri Chandnaji and others.
As usual Swamivatsalya and religious discourse by Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri and Bhakti Bhavna and RassGarba at Gymnasium of St. John University followed the day.
Day Eight Friday, June 17, 2005
The morning was again a main day for Sthapana of Pratimaji of Shri Mahvirswami, OM, Paduka and Chitrapat of Shrimad Rajchandra at DHYAN MANDIR /SHRIMAD HALL. The event was celebrated under the guidance of Shri Atamanandaji, Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, Padmashri Kumarpal Desai, Shri Nalinbhai Kothari and Shri Shantibhai Kothari.
Swetambar Tradition dominated the afternoon with very holy/pious ritual of Adhar Abhaishek of all the (16) Sixteen Pratimajis to be installed in Shri Mahavirswami Temple. The event was participated by 272 families. The rituals were conducted & guided by Shri Narendrabhai Nandu & Shri Nareshbhai S. Shah and graced by Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanu, Shri Jinchandraji, Shri Jinchandrasuriji, Shri Amarendramuni and many other Sadhus, Sadhvijis and Scholars.
Similar event took place at Dadawadi under the guidance of Shri Jinchandrasuriji. The rituals were performed by Pratishthacharya Shri Manoj Haran and graced by all the above Sadhus, Sadhvijis and Scholars
After Swamivatsalya in the evening a Drama of Shri Shalibhadra was performed by youth of JCA, which included bringing down Shalibhadra's Petties (Silver Boxes) from sky. Everybody present was willing to have
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