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GLOBAL NEWS
CELEBRATING MAHAVIR'S BIRTH
In April, Jain communities the world over celebrated the 2601st Birth Anniversary of the Jain religious preacher-revivalist, Vardhaman Mahavir Swami. This day also marked the conclusion of the yearlong festivities commemorating Mahavir's 2600th Birth Anniversary. Here are some of the highlights of these celebrations:
MUMBAI, INDIA
Fifty Jain institutions collaborated to organise a five-day exhibition, including sound and light shows, on the life and philosophy of Mahavir Swami, which attracted an estimated 700,000 visitors.
SAMAT SIKHARJI, BIHAR
The installation ceremony, PranPratishtha Samaroh of the footprints of the 3rd Tirthankara Sambhavnathji was conducted at the Sammet Shikharji Mountain jointly by the two Shvetambara and Digambara sect communities. The site, where these footprints, Pada chinha, were located
was heavily damaged due to heavy rains and lightening in the past. The two communities united in the rebuilding work as well as in the worship
ceremony.
PATNA, BIHAR
A two-day national seminar, entitled Bhagwan Mahavir in Art, Archaeology & Literature, was held on 2-3 March 2002. The Seminar was a milestone in the advancement of knowledge on the subject and on the history of Bihar, the birthplace of 22 Tirthankaras.
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A Symbol of Well-being
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नमो आयरियाण
नमो लोएमा 2600th Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav of BHAGWAN MAHAVIR
Pure Gold & Pure Silver Medallions Punjab Small Industries & Export Corporation AGM of Pangg
Jain Education International 2010_03
NEW DELHI, INDIA The International Ahimsa Academy was launched in tribute to Mahavir Swami's legacy. Prime Minister Vajpayee released a commemorative 5 Rupee coin, which bears the image of Mahavir Swami on one side. The Indian Government also announced that it has committed 30 crore Rupees to the preservation, development, protection and beautification of 54 specified Jain pilgrimage centres. JODHPUR, RAJASTHAN The celebrations commenced with flag hoisting and Prabhat Pher in the morning, worship in a temple in the afternoon and chanting of devotional songs in the evening. The following day began with a group Samayika in the morning followed by a massive Shobha Yatra, a procession carrying about 100 tableaux depicting different episodes
from the life of Mahavir and other
Tirthankaras, with a chariot carrying the image of Bhagwan Mahavir at the front. The celebration also included discourses given by Jain monks and nuns, a seminar on the life and philosophy of Bhagwan Mahavir, and devotional songs and music performed by the famous musician, Shri Rajendra Jain.
MOMBASA, KENYA The Mombasa Jain community celebrated Mahavir's 2600th Birth Anniversary all year long, with highlights including two plays and the hosting of an art exhibition entitled Mahavir Jivan Darshan, all the way from India. The exhibition has already travelled to Nairobi, and it is hoped that it will go to London next year.
Jain Spirit September November 2002
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CHITTORE, RAJASTHAN It was indeed a rare sight to see such a large number of Jain monks and nuns, shravakas and shravikas from all the sects - Digambara, Shvetambara, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi and MurtiPujak gathered in one place. They congregated at the historic Haldighati, Khamanour near Chittore. Some 15,000 devotees from nearby villages, as well as other parts of the country had come together along with about 250 monks and nuns to give serious thought to the need for socio-religious unity. All the Acharyas and Munis who were present there agreed that Mahavir Swami showed only one path and that all must strive to unify the various sects into a single, strong community. The congregation took unity and world peace as its theme, and all those who spoke stressed in unequivocal terms the need to maintain unity and peace at this crucial time.
NEW JERSEY, USA
A milestone event for the Jain community took place at the Royal Albert Palace in Fords, on 13-14 April 2002. The event was organised by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and ten other New Jersey States. Dr. L. M. Singhvi, Jain organisations of New York and Indian Parliament Member was the keynote speaker, and there were several presentations on relating to the life and teachings of Mahavir Swami. Other highlights included a photographic exhibition on Jain pilgrimage by Mahendra Visariya, a devotional music concert and a game show entitled Who Wants to be Mahavir?
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