Udaipur, The newly constructed Devādhidev 1008 Śrī Śāntināth Jinalaya witnessed the auspicious commencement of its three-day Panchkalyāṇaka festival today, presided over by the venerable Muni Punyasāgar Maharaj. The festivities opened with the sacred Garbhakalyāṇaka Mahotsav, celebrating the sanctity of the mother’s womb as the greatest school for a child.
Morning Rites and Processions
At 6:15 AM, the morning’s revival rites began with Jinājñā, Devājñā, and Guruājñā, followed at 6:30 AM by the Śrījī Sheroha Yātrā and the ceremonial pot procession (ghaṭa yātrā). By 7:00 AM, the flag-hoisting mandap was inaugurated, purified, and adorned; Śrījī’s abhiṣeka (ritual bath), śānti dhārā, and maṅgalācharaṇa were performed. The day continued with deepa prajvalana (lamp-lighting), aṅganyāsa, saṅkalīkaraṇa, indra pratiṣṭhā, and mandap pratiṣṭhā, culminating in jāpānushṭhāna and akurāropana.
A grand procession from Chautāli in Sector 9 led devotees through various neighborhoods to the temple, underlining communal devotion. Among the festival’s patrons were Rishabh Jasǐgot, Jatin Gandhi, Bhupendra Madawat, Kamlesh Bhuta, Vimal Seth, Jitendra Samalria, Deepak Taleriya, Vinod Dagaria, Raunak Bhanawat, and Raunak Seth.
Spiritual Discourse: The Sanctity of Garbhakalyāṇaka
During a special dharma sabhā, Muni Punyasāgar Maharaj extolled the virtues of the Garbhakalyāṇaka festival, emphasizing that one’s good deeds in past lives bring the merit to construct a temple and perform its Panchkalyāṇaka. He taught that “the womb is the world’s first classroom,” where a mother’s character, conduct, and food habits sow the seeds of a child’s future values. He reminded devotees that even the Tīrthaṃkaras entered the world through the womb and achieved mokṣa (liberation) after serving humanity.
Afternoon and Evening Ceremonies
At 12:30 PM, the Shri Yoga Maṇḍala ārchana and Sīmantanī kriyā were conducted, followed by the solemn Mātā kī god bharāī—a ritual symbolizing a mother’s sacred bond with her unborn child. The evening program, beginning at 7:00 PM, featured Śrījī’s ārati, śāstra svādhyāya (scriptural recitation), further Garbhakalyāṇaka rites, and cultural performances on the festival stage.
The Panchkalyāṇaka festivities will continue over the next two days, offering devotees further opportunities for spiritual upliftment and communal celebration.