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PILGRIMAGE COMMITTEE
YATRA 2004
2004 JAINA YATRA to teerthdhams of Rajasthan and Gujarat started on January 18th. JAINA President Anop Vora and incoming President of Jain Social Group Federation Dr. Chandrakant Shah wished us a happy pilgrimage at a small gathering in Matunga, Bombay that morning. We visited three temples in Matunga before boarding a train to Falna near Ranakpur our first stop. After the night stop in cottages of a hotel that looked more like a nature's preserve, we undertook a long bus trip to Jaisalmer. We stopped overnight in Jodhpur and visited temples of Osiyaji and Falodi.
In Khichan, a farming village near Falodi, we visited a hospital inspired by Acharya Shri Kalapurnsuriji, and run by Dr. Kanti Jain who had done research on diabetes in the US for more than 25 years and has now devoted all of her wealth and her life to this rural hospital servicing population of more than 300,000. The most remarkable thing about this hospital was the cleanliness and pleasant atmosphere miles away from any major city but equipped with very modern equipment. Our yatris including many physicians greatly admired devotion of Dr Jain, one person making such a difference in the lives of hundreds and thousands of people.
In Jaisalmer, we had a wonderful local guide, a devout Jain who loved every carving and knew every nook and cranny of the vast Temple Complex, patiently explaining religious significance, artistic uniqueness and historical facts. In the afternoon we got to see the world famous Patwa Havelis and the Thar Desert. At night, in a palace like hotel Rang Mahal, local folk dancers performed during the dinner. Next morning we visited Temples of Lodravpur and Amarsagar before reaching Sri Nakodaji. We were greatly surprised by the new Dharmsala we stayed in. Next day we visited a newly built Teerth Pawapuri. After visiting the famous Delwara Temples in Abu, we went to Nakhi lake and sunset point to admire nature's gift. Next day being Republic day of India, we were invited to the flag hoisting ceremony in the Polo ground where children from all the schools in town presented a patriotic program.
Before reaching Mehsana, we visited Temples of Kumbhariyaji and Taranga. Next day we reached Shankeswara. In Shankheswara, we had arranged to spend half a day with Shri Jambuvijyaji Maharaj. He gave a moving lecture on the power of Navakar Mantra, answered questions from Yatris and for those willing, gave them vows of refraining from certain ABHAKSYA AAHARS. At night we participated in a Bhavana inside the temple. Next day we started by bus to Junagadh via Rajkot.
We started Pahad Yatra of Junagadh at 5.00 in the morning. The weather was nice and yatris had a very comfortable and smooth Yatra without any difficulty. Some even climbed the highest peak temple of Ambaji. At least the Palitana Yatra after this would be a breeze! Just outside the town of Palitana we saw a huge colorful
Jain Education International 2010_03
tent in a field. It was a "CHHA RI PALAT SANGH" a 600 yatri sangh that had been traveling by foot for 14 days. In the best of Jain tradition the Sanghpati of such a large Sangh honored our Sangh, invited us for dinner and gave our yatris Prabhavana. Our Yatris got to see how traditional Sangh yatras are done. Their youngest member, a seven-year old girl sang a stuti for us and Acharya Maharaj recited Manglik.
The next Teerth on our itinerary, Palitana Pahad Yatra was what every one was anxious for. Again early morning start of Yatra was a peaceful, pious and joyful day for everyone. At night a few of us visited a Kutchhi Sangh of 1200 Yatris performing rites of 99 Yatras. We got to see a procession honoring the Aarti and Mangal Divo with an elaborate celebration and music conducted by Sri Narendra Nandu.
On the last day of the yatra, we were in Ahmedabad. It was the day of Bakari Id, a holiday but Dr. Jitendra Shah, Director of L.D. Institute of Indology opened the museum and the institute especially for our Yatris. Shri Shrenikbhai, Chairman of Anandji Kalyanji Trust came to pay his respect to the Sangh and answered questions put by Yatris. A scholar of ancient languages (Prakrit etc.) showed us old Jain manuscripts and we got the tour of the museum of Jain art. Later we went to Ashapuram hospital managed by Dr Shekhar Chand Jain. We got to see many parts of the facility donated by various individual Jains from North America. For the benefit of our Sangh, Dr. Jain had arranged first public felicitation of Shri Kumarpal Desai who had just received Padmashree Award from the President of India. Yatris presented a plaque from JAINA honoring Dr. Kumarpal and he asked if JAINA could arrange a Sangh Yatra from India to the Temples of North America. Dr. Dhiraj Shah on behalf of our Yatris and JAINA, invited Kumarpalbhai to lead such a sangh and assured JAINA's hospitality. At night we visited the temple at Hathisingh's Wadi and our Yatra concluded.
As always, we were fortunate to have a scholar - Diptiben Shah join our Yatra as we got the benefit of her lectures during tedious bus journeys. At each of the temples she was explaining religious significance, We also had a one yatri observing her Varshi Tap that acted as a spiritual leader of the Sangh. Patni Tours had once again excelled themselves in organizing the tour and serving memorable meals.
The Pilgrimage Committee is busy planning the next Yatra in January 2005. The committee is going to choose between Sri Samet Shikhar Yatra or a Yatra of the Tirthdhams of the Temples of the South India. If you have any suggestions, Please send to: dilipvshah@aol.com
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