Shatrunjay Giriraj Darshan in Sculptures and Architecture

Author(s): Kanchansagarsuri
Publisher: Aagamoddharak Granthmala

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Jain Rituals on Shatrunjay
Knowledgeable people do their 'Navvanoo' during winter and summer months in such a way that Falgun Sud 8 is included. Normally pilgrims accomplish 108 'yatras'.
One attains 'Punya' of another yatra by visiting Ghetyni Paag. One who performs 'Navvanoo' has to visit at least nine times Ghetyni Pagg, and nine times 'Nav Toonk'. Observing 'Ayambil', one has to finish two 'yatras' in a day, while observing a fast one has to finish three 'yatras'. Likewise there are few other specific conditions to complete the 'Navvanoo'.
(8) 'CHATURMAS'
India has a monsoon between Ashadh and Kartik (July to October). Jainism is extremely aware of 'Amhinsa' (non-violence). The hills are very slippery in monsoon. Shree Shatrunjay is the great place for Aaradhana. The glory of Giriraj is innumerable. For the foregoing reasons, the great Jain Masters have prohibited climbing up Shri Shatrunjay during monsoon months.
A lot of devotional pilgrims come to Palitana and settle here for four months of monsoon ('Chaturmas').
Jains are allowed to touch only any part of Shri Shatrunjay hills while keeping their feet on the plain ground. Shri Shatrunjay is God incarnated on a large scale. Any stone at the base is His feet. A devotional pilgrim attains the 'Punya' by touching Shri Giriraj as that of worshipping 'Dada'.
(9) A TRADITION OF 'PATTA JUHARWA'
Jain 'Sadhus' and 'Sadhavis' are not allowed to travel during the four months of monsoon. A lot of 'Sadhus' reach Palitana before monsoon to pursue their own 'Sadhana'. Pilgrims of 'Chaturmas' get a chance to pursue their 'Aaradhana' under the guidance of a 'Guru'. At other places also the 'Sadhus' grace Jains with a four-month stay, 'Chaturmas'.
On Kartiki Poornima Shri Shatrunjay is open again for pilgrimage. A lot of fortunate Jains visit the Giriraj on Kartiki Poornima but to benefit those, who cannot reach Palitana, there is a tradition to visit Shri Shat
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