Panaji, September 12, 2015. ….Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj, an eminent Jain Muni, is currently celebrating his Chaturmas at Mollem, Goa. Pranam Sagarji Maharaj observed strict maun for the past month. This one-month maun-saadhna will end on September 13, 2015. On this occasion, Pranam Sagarji Maharaj will bless the residents of Goa and also launch a pendent.
This pendent launching will take place at the hands of Minster for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shri Shripad Naik. The pendent launching will take place opposite Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, at Mollem, near Check-post on September 13, 2015 at 10 a.m.
Dr. Muni Shri 108 Pranam Sagarji Maharaj is the first Digambar Jain Muni to venture in Goa and took a bold step and decided to stay in Goa and undertake the task of hosting a Chaturmas in Goa. The Goa Chaturmas Varshayog of 2015 is the first-ever hosted Jain Chaturmas in the history of Goa. The Chaturmas celebration successfully began at Mollem at the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary on August 2, 2015, alongwith several devotees across India and in presence of several political dignitaries.
As a part of Chaturmas Celebration, Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj undertook an oath of a one-month strict maun saadhna, bearing complete silence, strict meditation and severe penance. Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj dedicated this saadhna for the benefit and welfare of the people of our country. It is particularly aimed at bringing mutual livelihood and peace to the residents of Goa. Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj principally aimed to attain spiritual serenity and self-reflection to gain the ability to bless his fellow disciples, followers and locals. Another agenda undertaken in the month-long maun saadhna was to procreate a pendent that is the first-ever pendent to be released in the history of the entire Jain culture. The pendent is an instrument that is designed to help in reinforcing the spiritual and intellectual beliefs.
The one-month maun saadhna will end on September 13, 2015. Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj will perform the ceremony of keshlochanam; an annual cultural ceremony where the Muni will pull out his facial hair, as every Muni sacrifices the use of any materials like scissors of blades. The launching of the historic pendent will take place afterkeshlochanam. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj will break his maun and offer blessings to his fellow disciples and to the residents of the state of Goa.
The first month of Chaturmas celebration has received a good response. Its success can be learned from the increasing local participation, support and contribution in hosting the Chaturmas. Local residents from in and around Mollem have shown interest and acceptance towards the Chaturmas celebration. Raghupati Ramkrishna Bhandari, a Goan resident from Ponda and also one of the several local devotees and supporters of Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji Maharaj, has donated more than 3.5 acres of land to the Charitable Foundation. This land is donated to build an inter-faith place of worship for all. It will host a unique center for yoga, naturopathy, mediation and will spread the Jain principle of Ahimsa.
One of the events celebrated during the Chaturmas was the Goraksha Puraskar on August 9, 2015. The award ceremony was given to acknowledge and recognize those social workers who have dedicated their efforts in protecting and enriching the environment for cows. Dr. Muni Shri Pranam Sagarji awared more than 20 social workers as ‘Gorakshak’, to appreciate their efforts. The awardees included Hanumant Parab, Amrut Singh, Rajendra Kerkar, Kamlesh Bandekar, Kamlakant Tare and several other social workers.
The Chaturmas celebrations brings an opportunity to the people of Goa and surrounding states to participate the famous celebration and gives them a chance to become a part of the Indian culture and explore their inter-cultural, devotional and spiritual side. The Chaturmas celebration is a way of sticking true to the benevolent spirit of uniting all cultures and developing acceptance toward all cultures. It outlines the multi-cultural side of India aimed at spreading global harmony and peace.
