A Maharaj at the event said they did not believe in registering and getting confirmation by any record books.
Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Septembr 12, 2013: Even though Wednesday began on a hot and humid note, the muggy weather could hardly dampen the mood among hundreds of Jains who flocked to the Sabarmati riverfront to celebrate paarna ending of the Paryushan fast.
The piety turned into a celebratory note when 1,350 Jain devotees of the city successfully ended their Paryushan fast together. The event became more memorable when it broke all previous records where such a large number of people performed paarna and sought blessings of Acharya Bhagwans.
It was a sight to behold on the Riverfont when kin of the devotees on fast, fussed about the venue either clicking photographs of the grand event or offering food their loving care making the pious event more poignant. The brain of the event Panyas Shri Mahabodhi Vijayji Maharaj, who blessed the participants for successful completion of paarna said, “We never expected the event to turn out to be so hugely successful with such a massive participation.”
The event, organised by Samuhik Siddhitap Sankalan Samiti, saw participation by 21 Jain Sanghs of the city in a bid to create a record. However, nobody from either the Guinness Book of records or the Limca Book had been called to confirm the claim for record, a Maharaj said. When asked why not, he said that they did not believe in registering and getting confirmation by these Books. “We are sure that we will go on creating new records, breaking our own previous records,” he added.
Four huge domes were erected to accommodate 300-odd devotees each. Also, 200 sadhus and sadhvis from all over the state and 60,000-strong audience made the event more spectacular. A donation box kept at the entrance and bulging from the devotees’ benevolence bears testimony to the day’s success story.
To commemorate the event, Jains will carry out a var-ghoda (procession) on Thursday which will begin from Anjali crossroads at 8.30 am and will culminate at Pankaj Society, covering 3.5 kms. The 1,350 participants too will be felicitated at the Sabarmati Riverfront on Friday. – News & Image Courtesy: DNA India