________________
The Jains through Time
159
land. Land was both cheap and easy to postponed so that proper preparations could obtain at the time. However, the owner of begin in Rajgir to start the construction the plot that Sadhvishri was keen on work of Veerayatan in the centenary year. acquiring could not be traced. The local The community was reluctant to allow community did not think the area fit to be Sadhvishri to spend her chaturmas in Rajgir occupied by decent people and well- due to the situation' there but finally they wishers advised against its acquisition. had to give in to her decision to go. Frustrated and confused, the members of the committee withdrew to consider their Ignoring all the discomforts and coping options. They were tired so they went uncomplainingly with the lack of proper bathing at a Kund (hot spring), a famous facilities, Sadhvishri and her group of tourist attraction in Rajgir. By strange sadhvis reached Rajgir on 11th July 1973 to coincidence the owner of that highly reawaken the memory of Tirthankar desirable plot of land was visiting the Kund Mahavir there. The place and people were at the same time. On hearing that some unfamiliar to her, she was not there at the people from Calcutta wanted to buy his invitation of a devout community, neither land, he quickly finished bathing and went did she have access to the most basic to meet them. Cordial relations were amenities, nevertheless this brave daughter established and negotiations started and of Tirthankar Mahavir resolutely settled in soon he was persuaded to sell. Once the that holy land. land was acquired the members of the Calcutta community returned to Sadhvishri The first chaturmas of Rajgir was spent at in triumph.
the Shvetambar Kothi - a place two
kilometers from the site of Veerayatan - Settling into Rajgir
where the manager Shri Jayanti Lal Jain was Sadhvishri's chaturmas for 1973 was honoured to be of service to her. Despite scheduled to be in Jamshedpur. It had to be the distances involved, Pujya Gurudev was
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
