BY A STAFF REPORTER
BUENA PARK,CA-Jain Center of Southern California here with over 1,500 devotees celebrated Dashahnika Mahotsav with 8 unforgettable days of the Paryushan festival with immense zeal and enthusiasm from Aug 18-25 and then two days of Udyapan – Ujamanu on Aug 26 & 27. Paryushan is an occasion for inner transformation;
BUENA PARK,CA-Jain Center of Southern California here with over 1,500 devotees celebrated Dashahnika Mahotsav with 8 unforgettable days of the Paryushan festival with immense zeal and enthusiasm from Aug 18-25 and then two days of Udyapan – Ujamanu on Aug 26 & 27. Paryushan is an occasion for inner transformation;
a priceless opportunity to set aside one’s attachments and aversions, to behold the virtue of forgiveness in one’s heart and to make rapid advances on the path of liberation. The festival is an invitation to connect with self, immerse in devotion, to listen to divine discourses, bask in the presence of saints and to come close to the Jain Lords. The festivities began every morning with a Snatra Puja (a celebration of the birth of Tirthankar Bhagwan). Each day,devotees gathered eagerly to listen to the inspirational, motivational, and spiritually enriching divine discourses by S Girishbhai Shah. Every night ended with devotional Bhavna Bhakti, Aarti and Mangal Divo. Over 2000 attended major events of Mahavir Janma Vanchan, when Swapna Darshan and Cradle celebration were performed. Everyday ekasana was arranged. Over 175 Jain students from various universities were assisted with tiffin services daily so that they could have Jain food. Some students were happy to have Samayak/Pratikraman kits. The 8-day celebration culminated in Samvatsari – an occasion of intense practice of atonement and forgiveness leading to i internal purification. On this auspicious day, people sought forgiveness from everyone they may have hurt knowingly or unknowingly by thoughts, words or actions, by saying “Michhami Dukkadam.” Over 50 community members took part in fasting, having just boiled water from 9am till 7pm, for 8 days and over Bhavin Modi fasted for 30 days. Their Parna (breaking of fast) was celebrated Aug on 26th morning with devotional songs and music by Jayendrabhai Nayak from India. On the same day Vidhikar Jayeshbhai Jain from India, performed 18 Abhishek on the private idols. On Aug 27th a Grand Procession took place for the celebration and almost 1000 devotees attended. An Ashtapad Pujan was then performed to the first time in Los Angeles.
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