Jain mahotsavends with idolconsecration

Lucknow: The five-day 1008 Adinath Jinbimb Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav (consecration ceremony) held at Parasnath Dham in Kakori concluded on Sunday with the ceremonial installation of Lord Adinath’s idol as the Mulnayak in the Jain temple.Lord Adinath was the first tirthankar of Jainism. He is known as the founder of the Jain religion.The concluding day, observed as Moksha Kalyanak, witnessed a large turnout of devotees from Lucknow and other parts of the country. “The highlight of the event was the Mahamastakabhisheka of the 21-foot marble idol made by artists in Kishangarh, carved by artists of Kishangarh, Rajasthan and the stature is in ‘Padmasana’ (seating posture) of Lord Adinath”, said secretary of Jain Samaj Amit Jain.During the festival hundreds of devotees, including women and children, offered Panchamrit Abhishek with ceremonial pitchers. The temple premises echoed with chants of “Jaikara Adinath ka” and “Namo Arihantanam” as the rituals were performed.The religious ceremonies were conducted under the guidance of Karnataka’s Jagadguru Charukirti Bhattarak Swami Ji. Pratishthacharyas performed the rituals according to Jain scriptures.

Following the conclusion of the programme, Acharya 108 Vishuddha Sagar along with the Sangh began his Vihar for Delhi at 5pm. A large number of devotees gathered to bid farewell.The Mahotsav, which began on June 24, included rituals related to the five Kalyanaks — Garbh, Janma, Tap, Gyan and Moksha. Organisers said over 25,000 devotees participated in the celebrations over five days.