Grand Chaturmas Entry Marks Spiritual Season's Beginning

Udaipur: Hundreds of devotees gathered at Devendra Dham on Sunday as the Shri Vardhman Sthanakwasi Jain Shravak Sangh marked the ceremonial beginning of Chaturmas with a grand procession and religious assembly, ushering in four months of spiritual discourses, meditation and religious practices.

Upadhyay Dr Ramesh Muni Maharaj, Pravartak Dr Rajendra Muni Maharaj, Dr Surendra Muni Maharaj and Muni Dipesh Muni Maharaj were accorded a ceremonial welcome as they entered Devendra Dham amid chants of "Bhagwan Mahavir ki Jai", devotional songs and traditional rituals. Devotees carrying flags and ceremonial pots participated in the procession, which began from the residence of former mayor Rajni Virendra Dangi and was welcomed with flower showers at several locations.

Addressing the gathering at the newly built Shri Mahavir Samavasaran, Upadhyay Dr Ramesh Muni Maharaj said overcoming anger, ego, deceit and greed is essential for spiritual progress. He urged devotees to actively participate in discourses, meditation, scriptural study, penance and community service throughout Chaturmas.

Pravartak Dr Rajendra Muni Maharaj described Chaturmas as a festival of self-purification and spiritual awakening, saying the teachings of Lord Mahavir on non-violence, compassion and peace are increasingly relevant in today's world. "If you protect religion, religion will protect you," he said.

Dr Surendra Muni Maharaj said the warm welcome extended by the Udaipur community reflected its deep faith in Jain values. He encouraged devotees to dedicate at least one hour daily to religious discourses, noting that the cumulative time over four months would amount to only a few days while offering lasting spiritual benefits. He also reiterated Lord Mahavir's message of "Live and Let Live."

Former mayor Rajni Virendra Dangi became emotional while addressing the gathering, describing the Chaturmas period as a collective spiritual journey rather than merely a religious event. She appealed to devotees to contribute wholeheartedly to make the four-month observance memorable.

The religious assembly also featured discourses by Sadhvi Sheetalshri and Sadhvi Manjuljyoti Shriji, while members of the women's wing presented devotional hymns and outlined the schedule of religious and cultural programmes planned during Chaturmas.

Devotees from Jodhpur, Pali, Delhi, Rajsamand, Surat, Mumbai, and other parts of Mewar and Marwar attended the समारोह. The Sangh welcomed chief guests, including Mangilal Lunawat, Sunil Lunawat, Prashant Jain, president of Delhi Navkar Tirth, and office-bearers of the Jain Conference.

Among those present were Vinita Chauradia, former MLA Dharmnarayan Joshi, Rajkumar Fattawat, Kantilal Jain, Nirmal Pokharna, Sangh president Advocate Roshanlal Jain, general secretary Himmat Badala, treasurer Dinesh Hingad, Santosh Mehta, Pushpa Khokhawat, Ramesh Khokhawat, Dinesh Choradia and Narendra Dangi, who encouraged devotees to use Chaturmas as an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual growth. The organisers also invited the public to attend the daily morning discourses from 9 am to 10 am throughout the Chaturmas period.