The Jain community in the twin cities will celebrate Mahaveer Jayanti, the 2615th birth anniversary of Lord Mahaveer on April 19.
On the occasion, a grand procession of Mahaveera’s image would be taken out in a decorated chariot from Feelkhana and will pass through several streets in old city and reach Exhibition ground at Nampally, where it will culminate into a Dharam Sabha which will be attended by about 20,000 people. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is likely to be Chief Guest. However, the same is yet to be confirmed, Sri Jain Seva Sangh informed. The Jain samaj will make elaborate arrangements for the same. They are planning to construct one lakh square foot pandal for the same.
Speaking to media persons, office bearers of Sri Jain Seva Sangh Ashok Saklecha, President; Vinod Kimtee, Secretary Vimalchand Mutha, Treasurer; Convenors of the Celebrations: Navin Alijhar, Mansukh Gandhi, Yogesh Singhi said the celebrations are planned for five days under aegis of Sri Jain Seva Sangh, the apex body of about eight lakh Jain Community in Telangana State.
They urged the State Government and the Chief Minister to declare Mahaveer Jayanthi as public holiday in the state every day. The Central Government during Vajpayee Prime Ministership declared Mahavir Jayanthi as a gazette holiday. Several communities have holidays, but, Jain community was not fortunate enough to Mahaveer Jayanthi declared as Public Holiday.
They also appeal to Government to see that all slaughter houses in the state are closed for one day on Mahavir Jayanthi. (INN)