Jaipur, March 6 (NationPress) The stunning city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan experienced a momentous spiritual event on Friday as Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), graced the historic Sonar Fort to kick off the Chadar Mahotsav.

This three-day religious celebration is remarkable as it takes place after a staggering 871 years, attracting thousands of devotees, Jain monks, and visitors from all over India.

The occasion has sparked considerable excitement on social media, not only for its historical importance but also for Bhagwat's humble demeanor during the visit. Despite the extensive security measures, he opted for an e-rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of Sonar Fort.

The brief journey from Dussehra Chowk to the Parshvanath Jain Temple caught the attention of both locals and tourists. Many citizens lauded this move as a significant demonstration of humility and approachability from the RSS leader.

Upon arriving at the temple, Bhagwat offered his prayers in the Mool Gambhara, the sanctum sanctum dedicated to Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara in Jain beliefs.

He prayed for the nation's prosperity and well-being. Furthermore, he visited the ancient Jinbhadra Suri Gyan Bhandar, a respected archive of historic texts, where he admired the legendary “Amar Chadar”, thought to have originated in the 11th century.

According to Jain beliefs, this sacred cloth remained untouched even during the cremation of the esteemed Acharya Jindatt Suri, which has endowed the chadar with a reputation for miracles and spiritual importance. The Chadar Mahotsav signifies the first official consecration of this sacred cloth in nearly nine centuries.

Over 400 Jain saints and more than 20,000 devotees have gathered in Jaisalmer to partake in this event.

A major highlight is expected on Saturday, with around 1.8 million devotees from around the globe anticipated to simultaneously recite the Jain prayer “Dadaguru Ektisa”, sending a unified message of global peace.

To honor this historic occasion, special postage stamps and coins are expected to be issued.

The three-day Chadar Mahotsav will conclude on March 8, representing a unique fusion of faith, history, and spiritual unity in the enchanting desert city of Jaisalmer.

The President of the Jaisalmer Jain Trust, Mahendra Singh Bhansali, emphasized that the Chadar Mahotsav embodies profound respect for Dada Gurudev.

A major attraction of the festival is the display of Gurudev's ancient garments—chadar, chola patta, and muhapatti—which have been meticulously preserved for nearly nine centuries. Bhansali noted that this is the first occasion in the history of the Jain community that such a Chadar Festival has been organized.

Providing a historical context, Bhansali remarked that according to tradition, when Dada Gurudev attained samadhi in Ajmer in Vikram Samvat 1211, his body was cremated, yet his sacred garments astonishingly remained completely intact amidst the flames.

These garments were subsequently transported to Patan in Gujarat, where they were safeguarded for many years. Their journey to Jaisalmer is intertwined with a fascinating historical narrative.

Bhansali explained that approximately 145 years ago, Jaisalmer faced a severe epidemic that caused widespread alarm among the residents. During that turbulent period, the Maharawal (king) of Jaisalmer arranged for the sacred garments of Dada Gurudev to be brought from Patan to Jaisalmer.

It is believed that shortly after these revered garments arrived in the city, the epidemic subsided, and Jaisalmer gradually returned to normalcy. Since then, these sacred garments have been dutifully preserved in the historic Gyan Bhandar of Jaisalmer.

Thus, the Chadar Mahotsav is not only viewed as a religious event but also as a celebration of a centuries-old spiritual heritage deeply woven into the faith and traditions of the Jain community.