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NOTES AND NEWS.
145 high officials of the state, the leading members of the Jain Community and other ladies and gentlemen hailing from all parts of India. His Highness Sri Krishna Rajendra Wadiyar Bahadur, the Maharaja of Mysore (see plate 2) who graciously camped for three days at Sravana Belgola (see plate 3) arrived punctually at 9 a.m.
His Highness's arrival (see plate 4) was eagerly looked for by thousands of Jaina pilgrims from all over India who had heard of the many political and personal virtues of the Mysore " Rajarishi" and who therefore now wanted to have a glimpse of and pay their respects to that enlightened and universally venerated Maharaja. When His Highness was entering the conference pandal the whole audience rose up to give a warm and respectable welcome. Then His Highness took his seat on a silver throne (see plate 5) which was placed on a cloth of gold. We are glad to note that this silver throne was given as a present to His Highness by Danavir Seth Gurumukhrai Sukhanandji of Bombay as a loyal and respectful tribute from the Jaina Community (see plate 20).
The conference began with the singing of hymns of prayer to Bhagwan Sri Gommatesvara and songs of welcome to the beloved Ruler of Mysore by the girls of the Bombay Sravaki Ashram (see plate 6). Then the palace Mahavidhvan, Sriman Dorbali Jinadasa Sastriar and Nyaya Tirtha, Sriman Shantiraja Sastriar read Sanskrit verses specially composed for the occasion in praise of the benign Government of Mysore and the noble and the inherent traits of virtue and wisdom in the character of His Highness the Maharaja. A brief and beautiful address of Welcome (printed on pp. 70 and 71) on behalf of the Jaina Community of India was read and presented to His Highness the Maharaja in an exquisitely carved gold and silver casket (see plate 8) by Mr. M. L. Vardhamaniah, the Chairman of the Reception Committee. Then His Highness was garlanded by Sir Seth Hukumchandji Kt. Thereupon His Highness rose up amidst deafening cheers to declare the conference open. In doing so His Highness delivered a very scholarly and interesting address, to which we give the place of honour which it richly
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Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
