An Exulted Pilgrimage to Shri Shatrunjay Tirth When Pujya Gurudevshri underwent His bypass surgery on 8 February ’19, He had resolved that within a year, He would go on a pilgrimage to the sacred Shatrunjay Tirth . To fulfill this resolve and as part of the preparations for the upcoming Dharampur Ashtahnika Pratishtha Mahotsav, Pujya Gurudevshri visited the sacred land of Palitana from 29 – 31 January 2020. On 29 January ’20, Pujya Gurudevshri was given a grand welcome in the magnificent artificial township of “Rushabh Rajya”, created as a temporary abode for those pursuing 99 yatras of the Shatrunjay Tirth and undertaking Updhan tapa. He visited the beautiful exhibition depicting the importance of Jain philosophy. The Panch Kalyanak of Tirthankar Bhagwan was also being celebrated at the Rushabh Rajya at that time. On the pious morning of Vasant Panchami, the presence of Pujya Gurudevshri enhanced the diksha mahotsav of mumukshu Krunaliben. He did the auspicious victory tilak to the renunciate and offered her the auspicious shrifal (coconut). Pujya Gurudevshri also spent some significant moments with Acharyashri Vijay Yashovarma Suriji. After darshan, chaityavandan, kayotsarg, and other forms of worship at the various temples, Pujya Gurudevshri along with the devotees, visited the Rohishala tirth. After bhakti at the temple, they performed arti of the flowing, pious Shetrunji river. Pujya Gurudevshri sprinkled the holy water on all present. As an auspicious commence of collecting the waters of 250 pious rivers for the Dharampur Ashtanhika Pratishtha Mahotsav, Pujya Gurudevshri filled water from the river Himself. Everyone immersed in the sacred chanting of ‘Titthayarame Pasiyantu.’ Next day Pujya Gurudevshri and numerous young mumukshus began their ascent of the sacred Shatrunjay tirth. While doing darshan at the ‘Nav Toonk’, Pujya Gurudevshri lovingly explained the importance of each toonk. After performing puja at the main toonk, everyone immersed in bhakti in a nearby temple on the tirth. Everyone was awestruck at the swift pace of Pujya Gurudevshri’s descent of sacred mountain. After the pilgrimage, Pujya Gurudevshri visited Tirthankar Mahavir Vidyamandir Virayatana, established by Pujya Acharyashri Chandanaji, and managed by Sadhvishri Sanghmitraji. In an inspiring speech, Atmarpit Nemiji expressed his appreciation for their noble service. With a heart filled with devotion, and a feeling of deep gratitude, this memorable pilgrimage came to an end.
