Making of Virtual Jain Tirth Yatra for JAINA 2021 Convention By Jigar Shah, Pradip Shah, Nayan Jain and JAINA Convention Religious team
Jigar Shah served as Chair of JAINA 2021 Convention Religious Committee and currently serves as a President of Jain Center of New Jersey (JCNJ). In the past, he has also served JCNJ in the capacity of President, Secretary, Executive Committee, active volunteer and has served JAINA as a director from JCNJ. Currently, he is actively working on a very unique concept of FIRST-EVER BHAV TIRTH for JIN SHASHAN at JCNJ and hoping to conduct Pratishtha in the early half of 2022. For any additional information on Bhav tirth please reach out to him at jigar.shah@gmail.com. The task of creating the First and Unique Tirth Darshan and Aarti Program for JAINA 2021 Virtual Convention was assigned to the Religious Committee. The committee members were: Jigar Shah (Chair), Rajeev Pandya (CoChair), Nayan Jain (Project Manager), Darshana Shah, Dhimen Vora, Jayana Shah Paurav Vora, Piyush Gandhi, Pradip Shah, Sapan Doshi, Sharad Doshi, and Shobha Vora. Project was guided by convener Haresh Shah, coconvener Bindesh Shah and JAINA president Mahesh Wadher. The stunning success of the first virtual and worldwide JAINA convention 2021 is a product of masterminds of many enthusiastic visionary volunteers. While representing all different aspects of Jain religion and Jain community, the Virtual TIRTH YATRA project was chosen to express our devotion to the Tirthankar Paramätmä. Jain pilgrimage places in India adorned with magnificent temples speak of a vital association with the lives and endeavors of the Jain Tirthankars, who spread the message of Ahimsa, Anekäntaväda, and Aparigraha. The holy places where the enlightened ones were born, took Dikshä, attained Keval-jnän, and achieved liberation (Moksha) are of special importance. The places touched and traveled by these Tirthankars became famous as sacred places; therefore, idols of Tirthankars are installed there. The religious atmosphere of these sacred places evoke feelings of reverence. Devotional sentiments that permeate throughout, bring inner happiness and peace, and uplift the soul.
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It is a well-known fact that the art and architecture of a country are reflective of its religious devotion as well as economic prosperity and generosity of the devotees, without which elaborately carved temples could not have been built. Similarly, the largeheartedness of fellow Jain Shrävaks from the USA was instrumental in making the virtual Jain Tirth Yatra possible. Many of us travel to India yearly to express our devotion to the pious Tirthadham. In face of the unrest throughout the world in this pandemic year and travel restrictions, most of us were not able to fulfill our desire of going to India to do Yatra of various holy Tirths.
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Hence the JAINA Convention committee decided to showcase a Virtual Bhäva Tirth
