Book Title: Jain Heritage and Beyond
Author(s): Shailesh Shah
Publisher: Oshwal Associations of The UK

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Page 115
________________ the sacred powers and divine objects along with singing of hymns and observances. The image installed in the temple is only a symbol; but actually it should enable people to install the Lord in their hearts. Dhwajarohan - hoisting of the holy flag On the day of the installation of the image of the Lord, and every year on the day of the annual celebration of the event, a new flag is hoisted on the tower of the temple. On that day at the time of the worship of the flag; it is hoisted. On this day the Satrah Bhedi, the 17 kinds of worship of which Dhwaj puja is one are read out with bhajans being sang. At the time of the Dhwaj puja, the flag is hoisted. Rathyatra - The holy Chariot procession Rathyatra means taking the resplendent image of the Lord in a procession, in a chariot along the main roads of the city or town so that all the people will be able to do darshan of the Bhagwan's radiant face. The Rathyatra is accompanied by a band (musicians) and by thousands of devotees and by the four fold of Jains. It is a procession of sublime radiance. It is called in spoken dialect Varghoda but its actual name is Rathyatra or Chaityayatra. Chaityayatra means having a darshan and worshipping the Chaityas or temple in the city. Sangh Yatra The Sanghyatra is the holy travel of the four fold Jain community on bare foot from place to place. They wander thus from place to place having a darshan of the Jain temples and worshipping them; going on a pilgrimage to various places, disseminating and preaching the dharma and helping the people in distress. This is called Sanghyatra. During this Yatra six very important rules should be scrupulously observed. Hence it is also called Charipalit sangh or Padayatra sangh. 1. Samyaktva Dharan They must take the vow of righteousness with reverence and devotion. 2. Ekashana They must eat food only once a day. 3. Bhumishayan They must sleep on a carpet on the ground and should not sleep on a bed or a mattress. 4. Brahmacharya They should keep off sensual and carnal delights 5. Padyatra They should travel on foot (bare foot) 6. Sachitt Tyag They should not consume any raw and green vegetables. The Padyatra carried out in accordance with these six rules really becomes a journey 119

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