Jain Digest 2000 07 Vol 16 No 03

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 8

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SAMET SIKHAR PILGRIMAGE January 16 - February 2, 2001
JAINA is very happy to announce once again a pilgrimage to Samet Sikhar and nearby Tirths. This 15 day Yatra of many holy places is in cooperation with Veerayatan. Jains consider Shree Samet Sikhar as their most sacred place of pilgrimage and hold a lifelong dream of being there at least once in their life . Samet Sikhar is where 20 Teerthankars of Vartman Chauvisi attained Salvation (Nirvana).
Traveling through Bihar has always been considered a difficult endeavor and a Sangh Yatra is the only real choice for most people. For those of us living in North America this is a rare opportunity to join a Sangh organized from this land to Shree Samet Sikharji and other nearby Tirths.
We also plan to visit Temples of Delhi, Shouryapuri (Agra), Ayodhya, Banaras, Vaishali, Rajgir, Guniyaji, Pawapuri, Kundalpur. Lachhwad (Kshatriyakund), Champapuri and Calcutta. Total capacity for our Yatra is 111 Pilgrims and JAINA is offering this opportunity to residents of North America only. We expect that we will be fully subscribed and presently, we are unable to accept relatives or friends living in India. In case of over subscription, preference will be given to JAINA supporters like Trustees of JAINA Charitable Trust, JAINA Patron or Life Members of the JAIN DIGEST in that order. Act soon to avoid disappointment later.
In addition to the above-mentioned temples, we will be spending 3 nights at Veerayatan and participate in their annual celebration on January 26th. On that day, there will be an opening of Polio Clinic at Veerayatan and Yatris will get a chance to see "Compassion in Action" - message of Mahaveer put in practice by Acharya Chandanaji and other Sadhwis of Veerayatan in the poorest region of the country. Historically, Banaras (Kashi) has been attraction for scholars for religious studies. We will be visiting Jain Studies department at Banaras Hindu University and Parswanath Vidyapith.
Our tentative date of departure from here is January 16 from either New York or Chicago. We will fly to New Delhi and begin our Yatra from New Delhi on 18h January. Our Yatra will end in Calcutta on the evening of February 2.The cost of the land portion of the pilgrimage within India is $825. This includes all traveling within India by bus or train, accommodation in hotels or Dharmsala, tips, $30 registration fee and all the meals. $100.00 of the $825 will be earmarked for "Yatra Fund”. The Yatra Fund will be used for donations to temples and institutions we visit. The Airfare from New York or Chicago on Air India is $1,125 including flight from Calcutta to Bombay at the end of our Yatra. Arrangements have been with METRO TRAVEL of Iselin, NJ for ticketing. If you choose to, you may reach India ahead of us, purchase your Air ticket on airline or Travel agent of your choice and meet us in New Delhi on the morning of the 18th January.
If you plan to join us in this Pilgrimage, please fill out the attached registration forms and mail to Mr. Anil Shah of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Confirmation of you registration, final itinerary and other details will be mailed to you after receipt of completed forms and full payment. Please do not purchase air tickets until you receive a written confirmation from JAINA that you have been booked for the Yatra. You must check with your travel agent regarding refund policy for the airfare.
For more information contact:
Dilip V. Shah, 1902 Chestnut Street Philadelphia PA 19103 Phone (215) 561 0581, or dilipvshah@aol.com
Dr. Anil Shah, 4 Hampton Ct. Burr Ridge, IL 60521 Phone (630) 323 9409
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