बीदासर में संपन्न हुआ 145वां मर्यादा-महोत्सव पदाभिषेक समारोह और दीक्षा दिवस पर मंगलभावनाएं
Summary
The 145th Maryada Mahotsav of the Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Dharma Sangh was held in the historic town of Bidasar, Churu district, from January 31 to February 2, 2009. The three-day festival began on Vasant Panchami with the auspicious installation of the Maryada Patrika by Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji, who emphasized its significance as a sacred text and a protective canopy for the Sangh. The first day featured the appointment of sadhus and sadhvis to service centers, with Acharyashri stating that proper observance of discipline requires a foundation of service. Samani centers in India and abroad also received appointments. The day concluded with a special assembly honoring Mumbai and Bangalore as best assemblies and Asind as a distinguished assembly. A symposium based on Acharya Tulsi's work "Kalushyashovilas" was presented by sadhvis. The second day, February 1, was celebrated as the Padabhishek Divas, marking the 15th anniversary of Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji's ascension as the head of the Terapanth. The day began with spontaneous morning celebrations, followed by a formal ceremony at the Samavsaran. Numerous sadhus, sadhvis, and samanis offered felicitations through songs, poems, and speeches. Acharyashri remarked that the day should be seen as one of development and examination, not just praise. He awarded kalyanaks to participants. Sadhvi Pramukha Shri Kanakprabhaji described Acharyashri as the epoch-maker of the 21st century. The Mahasabha's annual session was held on February 1. Acharyashri announced that the next Maryada Mahotsav in 2010 would be held in Shri Dungargarh.
Conclusion
The 145th Maryada Mahotsav in Bidasar reinforced the foundational role of discipline and service within the Terapanth Sangh. The event’s key outcomes included the formal appointment of sadhus and sadhvis to service centers, emphasizing that seva is essential for spiritual purification and organizational health. The celebration of Acharya Shri Mahapragya’s 15th Padabhishek day highlighted continuity in leadership and the Sangh’s developmental trajectory. The recognition of model assemblies in Mumbai and Bangalore, along with the announcement of the next Mahotsav in Shri Dungargarh, demonstrated a structured approach to community engagement and future planning. Ultimately, the festival served not merely as a ritual but as a practical reaffirmation of collective discipline, service-oriented values, and the institutional mechanisms that sustain the Terapanth community’s ethical and spiritual framework.