Acharya-ji on most Indian postal covers

The record for maximum special postal covers issued for a religious figure in a single day was set by Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj from Belagavi, Karnataka. A total count of 85 special postal covers were issued for Acharyaji Maharaj. Acharyaji says, “India nahi, Bharat bolo (let’s call Bharat, not India). Swadeshi pahno (wear indigenous clothes). Desh ko swavalambi banao (make the nation self-sufficient).”

India Post (Department of Post, Govt of India) has a provision to both permit and release special cover and cancellations to commemorate historic events of the country which are important for society to learn and know. Country’s most Popular Digambar Jain Saint Acharya Vidyasagarji has completed 50 years of Sainthood in 2021. His worldwide disciples decided to commemorate the historical day through release of Special cover and cancellation from 101 different locations in Indian Post Offices on Same Day. However, 85 special postal covers could be issued in a single day, which ultimately made a record.

The covers were permitted and issued successfully thus making it a ‘Single Subject commemorated by Special Covers issued on Single Day from the highest number of different post offices’. Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj is a Digambar Jain Acharya. He is recognized both for his scholarship and austerity. He is known for his long hours in meditation. While he was born in Karnataka and took deeksha (spiritual discipline) in Rajasthan, he generally spends much of his time in the Bundelkhand region where he is credited with having brought about a revival in educational and religious activities. He has written haiku poems and the epic Hindi poem Mukamati.

Vidyasagarji was born on 10th October 1946 during the full moon (Sharad Purnima) in Sadalga, in Belgaum district of Karnataka, in a Kannada speaking Jain family. The modest house where he was born is now a temple and a museum. His childhood name was Vidyadhar. He was the second of four sons, the eldest son being Mahavira Ashtage. As a child, he was fond of eating fresh butter which was used to make ghee. He was not a demanding child and accepted what was given to him. Vidyadhar used to visit temples and teach his younger siblings the principles of religion. He called both younger sisters ‘Akka’ (elder sister). He was attentive and was eager to undertake his studies. In his spare time he used to paint.

He was initiated as a Digambar Acharya in 1968 at the age of 22 by Acharya Gyansagar, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar, at Ajmer. He was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972. An Acharya does not eat salt, sugar, fruits, milk, oil, ghee, in addition to what is traditionally prohibited (like onions). He goes out for a meal at about 10 am and takes food once a day in the palm of his hand. In 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid a visit to Acharya Ji during his visit to Gomatgiri, Indore.

Acharya Vidyasagar’s Chaturmas (four-month stay) in 2016 was in Bhopal, where he was accompanied by 38 munis. He gave his Pravachana in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly by special invitation from Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 28 July 2016. In 2016, during a trip to Bhopal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him. He was also visited by Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is currently the Union Minister for Civil Aviation. Not only this, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared the State Guest Honour to Vidyasagarji Maharaj.