Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 80

Vol. XLI, 2018
The Jains in Ahmedabad
71
Today, many restaurants in Ahmedabad have started serving food following Jain tradition. Even the Italian fast food pizza is prepared according to Jain recipe. Moreover, Jain dishes are also available in trains and flights to and from Ahmedabad.
In earlier days, a custom of beheading male goat during Navaratri festival, was observed in Bhadrakali temple of Ahmedabad. The statue of Goddess Kali used to be smeared by the blood of that goat. The non-violent people of Ahmedabad had a strong dislike against this execution of animal. According to Punya Parichay (p.27) Acharyashri Ramvijayji initiated a huge mass movement to stop this cruelty. Eventually the temple had put an end to the custom. Digambar Tradition :
According to Digambar sect, a woman cannot take diksha (leave the society and become sadhu). She can only observe certain rituals and she is called 'Aryika' or 'Mataji'. They dress in white clothes. This is the ancient tradition of Jainism. This requires Sadhus to remain undressed.
However, there are several divisions in this sect. Terapanthi is one such sect, which does not believe in statues of gods and goddesses.
Shwetambar sect has its strong roots in Ahmedabad for years. As the city has been less visited by Digambar Sadhus, Ahmedabad has very few Digambar Derasars. Number of Sadhus in Gujarat is much less in relation to other states. For the last fifty years, opportunity for commerce has increased in Ahmedabad and so the number of people from other states Digambar Shravaks have also settle in the city. Nowadays, there are about 5000 Digambar families in Ahmedabad. There are 70 Digambar Jain temples and more than 70 Upashrayas are associated with these Jain temples. These Digambar families settled in Ahmedabad have 14 different groups. Most of these groups are engaged in business activities. For the last few years, many saints of Digambar tradition have been visiting Ahmedabad.
According to Digambar traditions, only a males can perform pooja of the statues of God in Derasar and performs Swadhyay. These temples also follow a tradition of Swadhyay every night, and for this reason, facility of separate library is not found in Ahmedabad. Shravaks keep scriptures at home. Sthanakvasi Tradition :
At present, there are almost nine divisions of Sthanakvasi exist.