Mumbai to witness Jain Maha Rath Yatra procession of unprecedented grandeur on Sunday, 25th September
MUMBAI, 21st SEPTEMBER, 2022: A Maha Rath Yatra, a Jain procession of unprecedented grandeur, will be held on Sunday, the 25th September of 2022. This procession will extol the Jain Regime and pass through major roads of Greater Mumbai.
The Maha Rath Yatra will start at 8.30 am from Chandanbala Jain Sangh, Walkeshwar, proceed through Chowpaty-Sukh Sagar, and conclude at Motisha Lalbaug Jain Temple, Bhuleshwar. Thousands of adherents will also participate in the lunch there.
Devotees from not only all of Mumbai, but also other parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka are expected to congregate for this event.
Executing a Rath Yatra is an annual duty of Jain laymen, and was accordingly planned during the holy days of Paryushan. These Sangh’s believe in and practice spiritual practices as outlined in the Jain scriptures and authoritative traditions.
His Holiness Acharya Shri Vijay Punyapalsuriswarji Maharaja, the Gachchhadhipati (Spiritual Sovereign) of the largest Order of Jain monks, flanked by several Jain monks and nuns who are in Mumbai for Chaturmas, will also participate in this Maha Rath Yatra. The Hon’ble Governor and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, as well as other Cabinet Ministers, will also grace the occasion.
Idols of the Omniscient Tirthankars facing the four directions seated on chariots of various shapes and sizes will form the nucleus of the procession. Indra Dhwajas of more than 50 Jain Sangh’s will adorn the skies. More than 30 youths who will be initiated as monks in the near future will also be attending. Several mandals of musicians from across the country, bands playing the Puneri Dhol will perform in the procession. Children and adolescents will wave flags symbolizing the Jain Regime. Flower petals will be showered from a helicopter. These are some of the various spectacles which will form part of the procession.
This Maha Rath Yatra will be held in strict compliance with Jain tenants and principles.