Shravanabelagola, Feb 19, 2006: Lakhs paid homage to Prathama Ganani Arika Ratna 105 Vijayamathi Mataji, the senior most Jain nun of the country, who passed away at the Shantisagar Memorial Hall here on Sunday morning. She was 78.
The Mataji has her own group of followers and has guided other nuns for nearly 50 years after she took deeksha when she was just 28 years old from Acharya Vimal Sagar Muni Maharaj. In the mega deeksha held on the occasion of the Mahamasthakabhisheka celeberations here last week, the Mataji had initiated five women as nuns.
A venerated and highly respected Nun, the Mataji was a scholar and known for her style of devotional meetings in different parts of the country. The Mataji had reached Shravanabelagola for the Mahamasthakabhisheka celeberations on January 29 after traveling nearly 1,200 kms on foot from Pondicherry. Impressed by her dedication and leadership qualities, she was accorded the title ‘Prathama Ganani’ by Acharya Mahaveer Keerthi.
The Mataji hails from Kamanagar village of Bharatpur district, Rajasthan. The last rites were performed in the presence of the 250 strong gathering of munis and nuns in the town under the stewardship of Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola. The Bhattaraka Swamji of Moodabidri and Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade have condoled the death of the Mataji. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)