Prathamesh-2026 Celebrated with Grandeur: Birth and Tap Kalyanak of Lord Rishabhdev

Udaipur: The Shri Mewar Jain Yuva Sansthan, on behalf of the entire Jain community, celebrated Prathamesh-2026, the birth and Tap Kalyanak festival of Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankar of Jainism, with great pomp and enthusiasm today.

The institution’s patrons Paras Singvi and president Nirmal Malvi shared that the celebrations began at 7 a.m. with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Nagar Nigam premises, in the presence of revered Jain monks and saints Mahavir and Sahil Vanawat. The festival procession then started with immense excitement, accompanied by community leaders Shantilal Welawat and Mahendra Taya, and traveled through key city locations including Surajpol, Jhiniret, Marshal Chauraha, Mandi ki Naal, Dehli Gate, and Bapu Bazaar before returning to the Town Hall, where it culminated in a religious congregation (Dharm Sabha).

Despite intense heat and strong sunlight, devotees’ enthusiasm remained high throughout the day. More than 20 grand welcome gates were set up across the city, where community members—men, women, and children—joyfully received the procession and sought blessings from the monks.

The grandeur of the procession was evident when the starting point at Town Hall reached Dehli Gate around 9:15 a.m., while its tail had already crossed Bapu Bazaar back to Town Hall. Devotees waved religious flags, women performed devotional dances carrying tableaux of Prathamesh, and the procession echoed with chants and music. Leading groups included Shri Adinath Jinalay, Guru Seva Sangh, Agrwal Bal Mandir, Bhakti Mahila Sangh, and Bisa Narsinghpura Navayuvak Mandal, with over 51 monks and nuns attending along the route, bringing joy and spiritual fervor to participants.

The Women’s Wing, led by Leela Kurdiya, Sushila Karwan, Archana Patwari, Rekha Lolawat, Sangita Goddot, and Nirmala Soni, presented 24 vibrant tableaux, devotional songs, and live music celebrating the birth of Lord Rishabhdev.

The congregation at Town Hall included Acharya Kalp 108 Shri Punyasagarji, Acharya 108 Shri Viharsagarji, Acharya 108 Shri Mayanksagarji, Ganini Aryika 105 Shri Subhushanmati Mataji, and Aryika 105 Shri Prasannmati Mataji, who emphasized the glory of Lord Rishabhdev and urged attendees to follow his teachings. They highlighted the importance of instilling religious values and education in children, warning that without such guidance, younger generations are increasingly influenced by Western culture. They encouraged parents to teach children the values and lifestyle principles demonstrated by Lord Rishabhdev.

Addressing the congregation, Acharyas Mayanksagarji and Viharsagarji stressed the need to strengthen family and community life, encouraging families to have at least four children to increase the Jain population, currently about 4.5 million. Acharya Punyasagarji urged all community members to add “Jain” alongside their gotra in their names to assert their religious identity and protect Jain heritage, warning that low numbers weaken community influence over religious sites.

The festival began with Mangalacharan by child devotee Veena Didi, lamp lighting, monks’ blessings, scripture offerings, and addresses by patrons Nirmal Malvi and Paras Singvi. During the event, Shravak Mahavir Minda was posthumously honored with the Shri Mewar Samaj Gaurav Alankaran, while Shravak Ratna Jayantilal Bhagvatilalji Vinod Chahat Rajawat received the Youth Gaurav Alankaran award.

Key organizers included Vice Presidents Paras Kunawat, Vimal Nathut, Manoj Gadiya, Arun Lundia, Anil Sakarawat, Rajesh Gadawat, Rajendra Chittoda, Sanjay Gangawat, Pritesh Wageria, and Ravish Mundalia, who played pivotal roles in ensuring the event’s success.

The celebration not only honored the spiritual legacy of Lord Rishabhdev but also reinforced the Jain community’s commitment to religious education, cultural preservation, and community unity.