Media Release
Moodbidri, Jul 22: His Holiness Swastishri Dr Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Panditacharyavarya Swamiji of Shri Digambar Jain Math, Moodbidri, returned after a five-day pilgrimage to sacred Jain shrines in Jharkhand and West Bengal, participating in religious ceremonies, delivering discourses and releasing a Hindi publication during the visit.
The pilgrimage, undertaken from July 17 to 21, began with a visit to the Jain temple at Ranchi on July 17. On the following day, Swamiji completed the 17-mile parikrama of Sammed Shikharji (Madhuban)—the eternal Siddha Kshetra revered by Jains—between 5.30 am and 11 am, offering prayers at all the 20 sacred tonks (peaks).
During the pilgrimage, he also took part in the Deeksha Day celebrations of veteran Jain monk Acharya Shambhava Sagar, a native of Byndoor in Kundapur taluk. Later that evening, at Gunayatan Tirth, Swamiji attended the Shanka Samadhana (Question and Answer) programme held at 6 p.m., where Pujya 108 Pramana Sagar Muni Maharaj delivered a discourse on righteous living.
Addressing devotees, Pramana Sagar Muni Maharaj said, "Noble thoughts lead one towards a higher spiritual destiny. Human beings should never behave like animals. Those who constantly engage in violence ultimately experience suffering, while a life dedicated to virtuous deeds becomes sacred."
On the occasion, Swamiji released the Hindi book 'Feel Hill', authored by the Munis. Speaking after the release, he said, "Those who worship the sacred footprints at holy places with pure devotion earn spiritual merit that remains firm and unshakable like a mountain."
The programme began with a welcome by Vivek Jain. Kailash Jain and Mahavir Shastri were among those present. Swamiji was also felicitated in the presence of the Munis.
On July 21, Swamiji visited Bhagwan Parshwanath Swami Basadi on Dobson Road, Howrah, Kolkata, where he participated in the abhisheka marking the opening day of the eight-day Ashadha Ashtahnika celebrations. He later delivered a religious discourse and received Pada Puja from Shri Pukraj Jain, Shri Malchand Jain and Shri Kaj Jain, before blessing the devotees.
Swamiji returned to Moodbidri on the night of July 21, bringing the pilgrimage to a close.