Dhoolakheda (Karnataka), May 4, 2005: Acharya 108 Sri Vardhaman Sagarji Muni Maharaj the descendant of Charitra Chakravarthi Sri Shanthisagarji Muni Maharaj’s ascetic order, under whose holy presence the Mahamasthakabhishekha of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola would be held entered Karnataka through Dhoolakheda the bordering village of Karnataka and Maharashtra. He was given a rousing devotional welcome by the Karnataka Jain samaj in the village situated on the banks of Bheema. Acharya Sri who had arrived all the way from Salumber in Rajasthan, the place of his chaturmas, had traveled through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
At the welcome function organised on the occasion, Acharya Sri said, “I experience the happiness of the people of Karnataka while standing in front of the statue of Lord Bahubali”. He also opined that the main intention of conducting Mahamasthakabhishekha was to propagate the message of Lord Bahubali. He felt that violence is the main reason for the present day problems faced by man. Man though being called an intellect is using violent means to gain the materialistic pleasures. It is highly impossible to attain peace through violence and called upon the people to follow the preaching’s of Lord Bahubali and the Tirthankaras to have a life filled with joy and happiness.”
While inaugurating the function Sri Abhaychandra Jain, the chief whip of Government of Karnataka reassured the support of the Governments of India and Karnataka for the success of Mahamasthakabhishekha. Speaking on the occasion Sri Dharmakeerthi Swamiji said that man could obtain happiness by involving himself in the spiritual and religious activities.
Sri A.R.Nirmal Kumar, the working president of Mahamasthakabhishekha Mahotsava Committee, Sri D.R.Shah, R.N.Koti, Sri Dhanyakumar Dhanshetty, Ananthakoti, Hirachand Halli, Ajith Dhanashetty, Raju Patil, Prakash Dhanashetty and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)