Shree Parshwa Padmavati Pujan
Gurupurnima Calebrations 2016
Shree Parshwa Padmavati Pujan was held in the Raj Mandir as part of the Gurupurnima celebrations of 2016.
Background:
Padmavati is the Shashan Devi or protective goddess of Lord Parshvanath, the twenty-third Jain Tirthankara. She is a devotee of Lord Parshvanath and is always immersed in reciting His holy name. Just as parents are affectionate towards people who love their children; so also Mother Padmavati is naturally affectionate towards devotees of Lord Parshvanath. She shields the devotees by removing hindrances from their paths, whether spiritual, physical or worldly obstacles.
Aim of the puja:
The grand Raj Mandir is being constructed at Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram in Sayla. This huge structure will serve as Swadhyay Hall and can accommodate 1,500 devotees.
For many years to come it will provide spiritual seekers with solace from worldly affairs, nourishment to keep moving ahead and guidance to reach their ultimate destination, Moksh.
In order to sanctify this place further and make the ambiance suitable for spiritual striving, Parshva Padmavati Puja was performed on 20 th July 2016. The puja lasted over 6 hours, from 9 am to 3 pm in the afternoon. It helped to sanctify the Swadhyay Hall, rid the area of all impurities and fill it with pure, divine vibes, such that all those who come here for spiritual growth can benefit utmost. The name of this ceremony is Shuddhikaran.
Process
This was the first time that such a puja was performed in Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram. The importance attached to this puja could be gauged from the fact that Param Pujya Bhaishree himself overlooked the entire planning process. Every stage of the puja was meticulously planned and the preparations commenced 6 days prior to the actual event. The intoxicating aroma from the incense sticks and illuminating lights of diyas sent out invitations to Mata Padmavati who is the Indrani of Patal Lok Devlok and other Celestial Gods to arrive and bless the place and enhance its purity.
Volunteers systematically followed every instruction handed to them painstakingly. A young mumukshu Jigar Metalia was given the responsibility of performing the puja and he dutifully worked on pronouncing every syllable, every shloka perfectly. Amidst mantras and shloks, Brahmnisht Vikrambhai and Hiren Boradia sang beautiful devotional songs.
Such was the divine overflowing grace of Pujya Gurudev that the entire audience was transfixed for the next 6 hours. The entire hall was charged with a divine energy, and not a single soul, adult or child, felt hunger pangs or experienced the urge to answer nature’s call.
Purity was in the air. Most mumukshus were able to participate in the puja.
