Three-Day Panchkalyāṇaka Festival Inaugurated with Garbhakalyāṇaka Ceremony

Udaipur, The newly constructed Devādhidev 1008 ÅšrÄ« Śāntināth Jinalaya witnessed the auspicious commencement of its three-day Panchkalyāṇaka festival today, presided over by the venerable Muni Punyasāgar Maharaj. The festivities opened with the sacred Garbhakalyāṇaka Mahotsav, celebrating the sanctity of the mother’s womb as the greatest school for a child. Morning Rites and Processions At 6:15 AM, the morning’s revival rites began with Jinājñā, Devājñā, and Guruājñā, followed at 6:30 AM by the ÅšrÄ«jÄ« Sheroha Yātrā and the ceremonial pot procession (ghaá¹­a yātrā). By 7:00 AM, the flag-hoisting mandap was inaugurated, purified, and adorned; ÅšrÄ«jÄ«’s abhiá¹£eka (ritual bath), śānti dhārā, and maá¹…galācharaṇa were performed. The day continued with deepa prajvalana (lamp-lighting), aá¹…ganyāsa, saá¹…kalÄ«karaṇa, indra pratiṣṭhā, and mandap pratiṣṭhā, culminating in jāpānushá¹­hāna and akurāropana. A grand procession from Chautāli in Sector 9 led devotees through various neighborhoods to the temple, underlining communal devotion. Among the festival’s patrons were Rishabh Jasǐgot, Jatin Gandhi, Bhupendra Madawat, Kamlesh Bhuta, Vimal Seth, Jitendra Samalria, Deepak Taleriya, Vinod Dagaria, Raunak Bhanawat, and Raunak Seth. Spiritual Discourse: The Sanctity of Garbhakalyāṇaka During a special dharma sabhā, Muni Punyasāgar Maharaj extolled the virtues of the Garbhakalyāṇaka festival, emphasizing that one’s good deeds in past lives bring the merit to construct a temple and perform its Panchkalyāṇaka. He taught that “the womb is the world’s first classroom,” where a mother’s character, conduct, and food habits sow the seeds of a child’s future values. He reminded devotees that even the TÄ«rthaṃkaras entered the world through the womb and achieved moká¹£a (liberation) after serving humanity. Afternoon and Evening Ceremonies At 12:30 PM, the Shri Yoga Maṇḍala ārchana and SÄ«mantanÄ« kriyā were conducted, followed by the solemn Mātā kÄ« god bharāī—a ritual symbolizing a mother’s sacred bond with her unborn child. The evening program, beginning at 7:00 PM, featured ÅšrÄ«jÄ«’s ārati, śāstra svādhyāya (scriptural recitation), further Garbhakalyāṇaka rites, and cultural performances on the festival stage. The Panchkalyāṇaka festivities will continue over the next two days, offering devotees further opportunities for spiritual upliftment and communal celebration.