Jain Digest 2006 04

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

Page 19

JAINA PILGRIMAGE COMMITTEE
JAINA YATRA 2006 in the beginning of this year was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the 86 Yatris from North America to the pilgrimage of the Temples of South India. The High point of the Yatra was undoubtedly our participation on the 1st day of MAHIAMASTAKABHISHEKA of Bhagwan Bahubali at Sravan Belgola held once every 12 years. Bhattarak Charukeertiji and the Mahamastak Abhishek reception committee graciously provided passes for every JAINA Yatri and also allowed all Yatris to do "Phool Varsha" from a platform above Bhagwan Bahubali's head. The Mahamastaka Abhishek Mahotsav was attended by over two million devotees and covered live by national and International media. JAINA Yatris were indeed fortunate to be among the few thousands to witness the first Abhishek m person.
This years IAINA Yatra was planned to coincide with the 1st day of MAHAMASTAK ABHISHEKA (Feb 8, 2006) In addition to the participation in the Abhishek, JAINA Yatris visited many other Teerths in Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka and Kerala. Two Scholars from India. Drs. Shekharchand Jain and Tarlaben Doshi joined our yatra as scholars and made our pilgrimage more spiritual.
Our Yatra got a tremendous boost when Gurudev Chitrabhanuji came to the first meeting place (Shree Parswanath Temple at Marine Lines) to bless the pilgrims and spoke of importance and piety of a Yatra. 15 day Yatra took us from Bombay to Hyderabad (Shri Kulpakji Teerth). Mysore, Sravan Belgola (Twice) Halebid, Belur, Manglore. Moodbidri, Calicut, Allepy, Kottayam, Cochin, Banglore. Devanalli and Tirupati. In Hydrabad, we attended 25th Anniversary celebration of Jain Social group International Federation. In Moodbidri, our Yatris got special viewing of the precious gem collection of ancient idols and manuscripts, visited Malaja Palace and Vrindavan Gardens in Mysore and at Kottayam, we enjoyed ride through backwaters and stayed at a wonderful resort.
This eighth JAINA Pilgrimage was a first one to the Temples of the south India and as such, it did encounter some transportation and accommodation problems that
could have been alleviated with more careful planning. 2007
Yatra is expected to be to Jaisalmer and other Teerthdhams of Rajasthan and Gujarat - including Palitana and Girnar. The Pilgrimage committee will make sure that the lessons learned from the 2006 yatra will be implemented so that 2007 Yatra is as comfortable as could possibly be made.
Dilip Shah Chairman,
JAINA Pilgrimage Committee
JAIN DIGEST⚫ Summer 2006 17
WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME A LIFE MEMBER OF JAIN DIGEST
Jain Digest, a quarterly magazine of the Jain community of North America is a lifeline to Jains living in North America It reaches to many Jain families (app.10,500) in North America free of charge since 1985. It provides the news about the activities of more than 65 Jain Centers of North America and their members, it educates us by publishing religious articles, it provides the news and activities of our youth, it also brings together Jain Youth of marriage age by publishing a matrimonial column. It also publishes news about Jains living in other parts of world.
The most important task of Jain Digest is to provide identity to Jains and particularly our youth who are born and brought up in North America, who otherwise would have never known the beauty, joy and strength of our culture and religion.
Each issue of Jain Digest is a result of labour of volunteers, the editor in chief is assisted by the publishing editors, members of the Editorial Board, regional editors. and associate editors, regular and guest columnists all living in different parts of continent. They all work by fax, phones and E-mail to put together a snapshot of our community in timely fashion producing the most visible evidence of unity among Jains of North America.
Without pining monetary value on time and efforts of the volunteers, it costs about $40,000 per year to publish four issues of Jain Digest and send to every family in North America and Jain Sanghs abroad free of charge.
The JAINA has created a endowment fund for this purpose. This fund is collection of Jain Digets life membership fees. The principal of endowment fund is kept as reserve and only the interest income is spent towards yearly expense of Jain Digest. At the moment it amounts to about $4000 per year Advertisement brings about another $6000 per year leaving $30,000 deficit per year
JAINA is committed to continue quarterly publication of Jain Digest by raising funds from generous donors. We
don't know how long these donors will continue to
subsidize Jain Digest. Therefore it is essential for all of us to become life members of Jain Digest, by contributing tax deductible donation of $201.00. It will assure all of us and on future generations to continue to receive Jain Digest and help us maintain our Jain identity and to be proud Jain
Keerti Shah Jain Digest Membership Director
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