Shravanabelagola (Hassan District, Karnataka), July 7, 2017: Governor Vajubhai R. Vala has said that Jainism taught the significance of sacrifice and non-violence to the world and it enriched the heritage of India.

He was speaking at the Chaturmasa Mangala Kalasha installation ceremony at Jain Mutt at Shravanabelagola in Channarayapatna taluk on Friday.

“Mahatma Gandhi took the path of non-violence in his struggle for freedom because he was influenced by the Jain philosophy. We have to inculcate the values propagated by Jainism in the younger generation so that the tradition of truth and non-violence continues in the country,” Mr. Vala said.

The Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola is one of the great works of art, he said, and added that it was a symbol of the values taught by the Jain philosophy. Regarding Mahamastakabhisheka scheduled for next year, he said the mega event had been supported by the rulers for last 1,000 years and the present government continues to extend its support.

Interestingly, the Governor joined the dancers performing Garba and danced to the folk tunes for a few minutes. Mr. Vala hails from Gujarat, the origin of the Garba dance form. His gesture was appreciated by Jain Mutt seer Charukeerti Bhattaraka Swami and others.

Minister for Sericulture and Animal Husbandry A. Manju, C.N. Balakrishna, MLA, and Jain seers participated. – News Courtesy: The Hindu