Shri Dharampur Tirth Anjanshalaka-Pratishtha Ashtahnika Mahotsav

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Shri Dharampur Tirth Anjanshalaka-Pratishtha Ashtahnika Mahotsav was an eight-day spiritual fiesta that cemented the Lord in the temple at Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram Dharampur forever.

On 23 December, Pujya Acharyashri Vijay Rajhanssurishwarji Maharaja, the Pratishthacharya of the Mahotsav, recited auspicious blessings and flagged off the procession in Dharampur town along with Pujya Gurudevshri. The three and a half kilometre long procession comprised chariots with the idols of Bhagwan Mahavir, Bhagwan Parshwanath and Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji. A special lunch was organised by the Mission for the residents of the entire Dharampur town as part of the celebrations.

Inside the Ashram, the holy land of Kshatriyakund was recreated at the large event area. Spread across 1,00,000 square feet, the birthplace of Lord Mahavir was depicted by a royal palatial facade. The inner construct of the palace was adorned with 120 carved pillars, scores of ethnic balconies and dazzling chandeliers. The stage spread across 120 feet was equipped with turntables and a hydraulic lift. Pujya Gurudevshri walked on the ramp with the pratimaji of Shrimad Rajchandraji. He lit the ceremonial lamp along with Atmarpit Nemiji and the donors, flagging off the epochal eight-day extravaganza.

Pujya Gurudevshri in his discourse elaborated on the need and importance of a temple and how it inspires one for a higher living by instilling values.

On 24 December, idols of Jineshwar Bhagwans had arrived at the threshold of the Nrutya Mandap. Pujya Acharyashri and Pujya Gurudevshri recited pious mantras, worshipped the Lords with auspicious substances, and made a humble plea requesting them to enter the Jinalay. Everyone revelled in the ceremonial advent of the seven pratimajis in the Jinalay and five pratimajis of Shrimad Rajchandraji in the Gurumandir.

In the evening, Pujya Gurudevshri initiated the series of discourses for the Mahotsav based on Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrutji Mokshmala Shikshapath 53 – ‘Mahavirshaasan’. He explained the importance of the Panchkalyanak Mahotsav. A stage performance depicting the significance of the Panchkalyanak celebrations and a video on the journey of the making of the Jinmandir was also screened.

On 25 December, Pujya Acharyashri and Pujya Gurudevshri highlighted the significance of Chyavan Kalyanak. Just as Bhagwan’s soul entered the mother’s womb, likewise we should prepare ourselves for Bhagwan to arrive into our hearts.

A sublime ritual established Pujya Acharyashri as Pratishthacharya, Pujya Gurudevshri as Dharmacharya and Shri Parasbhai Pandit as Vidhikar for the Anjanshalaka-Pratishtha Ashtahnika Mahotsav. Pratishthacharya and Dharmacharya were anointed with ornaments of saffron. The characters of Bhagwan Mahavir’s parents King Siddharth-Queen Trishla and Indra-Indrani were also established. Pratishthacharya and Dharmacharya sprinkled vasakshep (sandalwood powder) on a ceremonial pot symbolic of the mother’s womb and recited chants. To depict Bhagwan’s soul entering the mother’s womb, Indrani immersed the idol of Bhagwan in the ceremonial pot.

A beautiful dance was performed on the Namutthunam Sutra. When Queen Trishla conceived, she saw 14 auspicious dreams. This epic event was grandly and meaningfully depicted on stage.

On 26 December, Pujya Acharyashri and Pujya Gurudevshri sang the glory of the occasion of Bhagwan’s birth – an occasion of the end of all births. The ceremonial pot, symbolic of the mother’s womb, was worshipped and within moments Bhagwan manifested, signifying His birth. Pratishthacharya and Dharmacharya welcomed Him with salutations.

56 Dikkumaris came over to serve Queen Trishla and help with the post-birth purification processes. This was followed by abhishek of the Lord at the Meru Mahotsav.

250 abhishek were completed with waters collected from 108 rivers across the globe. As devotees joined in for abhishek, they cleansed their inner dirt and moved ahead towards purity.

On 27 December were Pujya Acharyashri and Pujya Gurudevshri’s discourses along with the celebration of the Lord’s birth by human beings.

Queen Trishla gave birth to the Lord on the night of Chaitra Sud Teras. Her attendant Priyamvada conveyed this news to King Siddharth who gifted her valuables. Along with Pujya Gurudevshri, centre leaders across the globe rocked the Lord’s cradle.

This was followed by the Lord’s naming ceremony and His education. Accepting his residual karmas, Prince Vardhaman agreed to His parents’ proposal of marrying Princess Yashoda. Devotees participated in the mehendi ceremony in the company of singer Shweta Gandhi.

On 28 December, Pujya Acharyashri and Pujya Gurudevshri described the inner detached state of the Lord amidst karmic manifestations.

Pujya Gurudevshri garlanded the Lord and fed the traditional sweet with utmost devotion during the marriage procession. Following the wondrous tradition of Jainism, Pujya Acharyashri – who observes the five great vows and has initiated numerous souls into monkhood – conducted the marriage ceremony of prince Vardhaman and princess Yashoda in a very sublime atmosphere. The Lord’s coronation ceremony followed. Sailing through all these events with equanimity, His astounding state was revered by Pujya Gurudevshri and all seekers.

On 29 December, Pujya Acharyashri and Pujya Gurudevshri expounded on the glory of renunciation in their discourses.

The procession of the Lord’s diksha commenced from the Jinmandir and reached Kshatriyakund. Pujya Gurudevshri Himself carried the Lord’s palanquin. Acharyashri commenced the diksha ceremony of the Lord. The clothes and ornaments were shed, followed by the plucking of hair. He recited the pious mantra of diksha and the Lord attained the fourth Manahparyavjnan (direct knowledge of others’ thoughts). As an offering on the Lord’s Diksha Kalyanak, 282 mumukshus from world over, embraced the vow of lifelong celibacy. The audience was filled with admiration towards them for taking a giant stride on the path of the Dispassionate Ones.

On 30 December, Pujya Gurudevshri explained the deeper meaning of the Anjanshalaka vidhi signifying the Kevaljnan Kalyanak.

Pujya Gurudevshri along with laabharthi (blessed donor) family prepared the anjan (sacred substance) and offered it to Pujya Acharyashri. Amidst chants by devotees in the plaza, Pratishthacharya, Dharmacharya and Vidhikar performed the hallowed ritual of Adhivasna-Anjanshalaka inside the Jinalay. Seekers rejoiced upon beholding the pratimajis brought to life through the Anjanshalaka process. Pujya Acharyashri gave a discourse as a symbol of Bhagwan’s sermon in samavasaran.

Thereafter, 108 abhisheks of Nirvan Kalyanak were performed.

Pujya Gurudevshri elucidated the infinite benevolence of a Sadguru. Audiences were drenched in bhakti by renowned singers Shantanu Helekar and Upagna Pandya.

As the chants of ‘Aum Shri Sadgurudevay Namostute’ and ‘Aum Shri Param Krupalu Padabhyam Namonamah’ reverberated, in the pious presence of Pujya Gurudevshri and Raj Parivar saints the pratishtha ceremony of the five pratimajis of Shrimad Rajchandraji was performed in the Gurumandir.

Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrutji and Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra were consecrated in recesses outside the central sanctum. Pujan of 150 artistic pillars, containing sculpts of Param Krupalu Dev’s parents, four jewel-like devotees, nine male and nine female aspirants was performed. Next morning witnessed Gurumandir’s Dwarudghatan (door opening). Naivedya Utsav saw the offering of 108 types of decorated sweets to Shrimad Rajchandraji.

On 31 December, under the auspices of Pujya Acharyashri and in the pious presence of Pujya Gurudevshri, the seven Jinpratimajis enlivened by Anjanshalaka were consecrated amidst devout chants of ‘Aum Punyaham Punyaham Priyantam Priyantam’.

The Kirtistambh was unveiled. Pujan of 108 artistically carved marble pillars was performed. Pujya Gurudevshri showered flowers over the Jinmandir from a helicopter.

In his discourse, Pujya Acharyashri marked this as a golden day for Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur. Pujya Gurudevshri illustrated that Jinpratimaji is a benevolent medium to leap from form to formless.

The evening saw the first grand arti at the Jinmandir. This was followed by bhakti with Sani Shah. Devotees entered the New Year in the hallowed presence of Pujya Gurudevshri.

Dwarudghatan of the Jinmandir was performed the next morning, followed by ashtaprakari (eight types) puja. Devotees who offered exemplary seva in the construction of the Jinmandir and organisation of the Mahotsav were felicitated. This marked the culmination of the supremely elevating celebrations.