Akshay Tritiiya is a holy day in Jain calendar
as well. People who observe the year-long alternative day fasting finish their
Tapasya this day. The story (mentioned above) behind the festival in jainism is
written in Harinvansh Puran and Padam Puran (one of the holy granthas of
jains). The Day of Akshay Tritiya is worshipped and said to be auspicious in
Jainism because it is said to have established the very first "ahar
charya" a methodology to prepare and serve food to Jain Monks. Lord
Rishabhdev denounced the worldly pleasures after dividing his vast kingdom in
his 100 sons, prominent of whom are Gommateshwara Bahubali (whose world's
tallest monolithic staure stands at shravanbelgola and Chakravarti Bharata, by
whose name it is known today as "Bharat". Lord rishabhdev meditated
without any food and water for six months and Upon attaining enlightenment
(Kevalya Gyana), set out to accept food (Ahar). He was the first monk of this
Era. Jain monks do not own anything. They do not even cook food for themselves.
When hungry or thirsty, (Maximum Once in day), they set out to accept ahar.
they do not even ask for it and accept where it is offered. Tirthankara
Rishabhadeva also went to people to accept food. However, the people of that
time did not know anything about the lives and disciplines of monks, as he was
the first monk of this era. The people of Ayodhya offered him gold, jewellery,
gemstones, elephants, horses, expensive garments and even their daughters to
honour their beloved king. Rishabhadeva was not in quest of all these. He
sought only a morsel of food, but nobody offered it to him. Nobody understood
that their king was looking for to receive food to ensure that the monks that
would come after him get food and water in the purest form needed to lead an ascetic
life. As there was no choice, he had to fast for a long time of one year until
his grandson Shreyansha Kumara understood his need due to his
"purva-bhava-smaran" Finally Shreyansha Kumara, offered him sugarcane
juice and thus Rishabhadeva ended his fast after a year. This was on the day of
Akshaya Tritiya. This is considered by the Jains as one of the best offerings.
It is believed that religious gifts bestowed on Akshaya Tritiya become
inexhaustible. Jains even today, observe a fast to commemorate their first
Tirthankara Rishabhadeva on Akshaya Tritiya and end their fast with sugarcane
juice. In Shwetambara Jain community it is widely celebrated than digambaras.
In Hastinapur, there is a Mela on Akshay Tritiya and Jains reach there from
Maharshtara, Gujrat, Rajsthan in large numbers to end their fast (Ekasana
Vrats) of 10 or more days. It is called as PARANA
Monday, May 13, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Ghantakaran Mahaveer Mahudi Gujrat
My lord Ghantakaran Mahaveer's idol is at Village Mahudi, district- Veejapur in the state of Gujrat.
http://jainsite.com/images/stories/shree%20ghantakarna%20mahavir.jpg
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