INFORMATION Historic Visit by Jain Sadhus to Pakistan By Ashwani Jain
Ashwani Jain is the General Secretary at the Jain Heritage Foundation. Ashwani has been deeply involved over three decades in laying the groundwork for preservation of Jain temples, monuments and preserving Jain heritage and culture in Pakistan.
As of today, there are no Jain families living in Pakistan. However, many Jain Heritage sites are spread across Pakistan, including several Jain Temples, Pratimajis, Upashray, Dharamshala, etc. Many Pratima and other remains of Jain Temples are found during excavation. A delegation of 18 members of the Jain community from India, including four Sadhu Maharaj listed below, visited a few of the Jain Heritage Sites in Pakistan between 21st May to 7th June 2023.
Shrut-Bhaskar P.P. Gachchhadhipati Shri Dharmadhurandhar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb
P.P. Muniraj Shri Rushabhchandra Vijayji Maharaj Saheb
P.P. Muniraj Shri Dharmakirti Vijayji Maharaj Saheb
P.P. Muniraj Shri Mahabhadra Vijayji Maharaj Saheb
As the news spread in all the Sangh and Bhaktagan, many of them came over to the border on the 21st to see-off their beloved Gurudev and the delegation. Three Sadhviji also came over to the border to seeoff. After completing the formalities of the Security Checks, Immigration and Customs on both sides of the border, the delegation landed on the soil of Pakistan. The Jain Heritage Foundation (JHF), organizer of the delegation, had requested the Government of Pakistan to provide adequate security to the delegation, particularly to all the Sadhus. Accordingly, they had made very good security arrangements that included teams and vehicles of the local Police as well as Elite Commandos. The security team travelled all the time along with the delegation.
Visit to Lahore Museum On 22nd May, the delegation visited the Lahore Museum. The Museum hosts a ‘Jain Temple Gallery’, where they have preserved many Jain artefacts. They consist of: The Footprints of Shri Aatmaramji It is made of marble, having four footprints carved out in four Disha and four Oghas carved out in the four corners, with a Kamalasan as the base, and covered with a Chhatri with carvings made of marble covering the footprints. This has been shifted from the Aatmaramji Samadhi Mandir in Gujranwala in 1952.
The purpose of the visit and the delegation were divided into two parts. One to celebrate the 127th Swargarohan Tithi of P.P Shri Vijay Anand Surishwarji (or Vijayanand Surishwarji or fondly known as Aatmaramji) at Gujranwala where he took his last breath, on 28th May. The other was to visit the Lahore Museum, Lahore Jain Mandir, Shri Aatmaramji Samadhi Mandir in Gujranwala, and a couple of temples in the vicinity of Gujranwala. The team also surveyed the Jain Temples near Nagarparkar town situated in the Tharparkar district of the Sindh Province. 26
The Wall Panel It is a huge attractive structure with fine wooden carving. This also has been shifted from the Parshvanath Jain Temple in Gujranwala. The Marble Pratimas of Tirthankars are generally in good condition. The Stone Pratimas of Tirthankars are made of stones, some of which are in good condition, and some are damaged. The Shetrunjay Pat It is a huge attractive structure of approximately 9 ft. wide and 12 ft high, carved out of marble and nicely painted. This has also been shifted from a Jain Temple in Gujranwala.