Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and Acharya Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj discussing a point even as Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggada looks on during the inauguration of the Mahamastakabhisheka event at Navagraha Tirtha in Varur of Dharwad district on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE
A 12-day Mahamastakabhishekha of nine Tirthankaras at Navagraha Tirtha in Varur near Hubballi of Dharwad district got off to a colourful start on Wednesday with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot inaugurating it in the presence of scores of Jain monks from across the country.
Addressing a huge gathering of devotees from across the State and also neighbouring States, Mr. Gehlot emphasised the need for following the path of truth, non-violence and religion and said that the Jain community has become a model for others to emulate by strictly adhering to the path.
He said that Jain religion advocates helping others and Bhagavan Mahaveer gave the message of world peace. And, all the Jain Tirthankaras have upheld humanitarian values, he added.
The Governor said that Raj Bhavan has been made free of non-vegetarian food and liquor and even guests from abroad are being served vegetarian food.
“Worshipping nature and animals is Indian culture and it should be continued,” he said.
As part of the 12-day event, various rituals began at the Navagraha Tirtha early in the morning. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the religion flag. Scores of women carried poornakumbhas leading the procession in which an ancient idol of Jina was carried. Elephants, horses and folk troupes added colour to the procession.
On the occasion, Jain monks from across the country offered puja to the 405 ft tall Sumeru Parvata built at the Navagraha Tirtha to mark its formal inauguration.
BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra inaugurated the Maha Mantapa, the main stage in an event in the morning, which was presided over by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade in the presence of Acharya Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj, seer of Navagraha Tirtha.
A host of senior monks attended the event.
Published – January 15, 2025 09:08 pm IST