The Mumbai CM has been invited as the chief guest and the aarti is expected to start at 7 pm.
On the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti on April 20, the city's Jain community has organised a maha-arti ceremony at Azad Maidan. The event is scheduled to start at 7pm, and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has been invited as the chief guest, along with several other dignitaries.
This event has been organised by the Jain International Organization (JIO). A meeting to discuss the arrangements was held at Shree Shankeshwar Pashwanath Jain Derasar, Gwalia Tank, where representatives of various Jain organisations were invited from across Mumbai and Mira-Bhayendar.
During the meeting, the community's spiritual leader Nayapadma Sagar Ji Maharaj said, "We will have a 54ft palna (cradle), along with a 30ft replica of Meru Parbat (mountain). Along with this, we will also organise a maha-arti to offer prayers to Mahavir Swami."
This year, the group is expecting a participation of over 50,000 people. One of the main agendas of the event is to collect money for people in drought-hit areas.
Sagar further said, "We are also going to start a census to count the number of Jains in the country, and are considering proposals to make Mahavir Jayanti the World Vegetarian Day or the World Forgiveness Day. One of our other agendas is to make the day an official government festival and holiday, like any other festival in the country."
In an appeal to the community members, Sagar added, "I hereby appeal to all the Jains to shut their shops on that day, and decorate their houses with torans, rangolis and diyas. I also appeal them to dress up for the ceremony."
Meanwhile, the four community members who were honoured with the Padma awards this year, will also be felicitated at the event. The group has organised a mass-mediclaim policy for the community as well. JIO director Virendra Shah said, "We have applied for the Guinness book of world records for the most number of medi-claim encashments at one point. We are hoping to get it." Medi-claim will be available for the community members at a very special premium rate, which can be availed only on that day.
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