The golden city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan hosted a unique spiritual event as Mohan Bhagwat, the Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), arrived at the iconic Jaisalmer Fort, also known as Sonar Fort, to kick off the Chadar Mahotsav. This religious festival, after an 871-year hiatus, has attracted numerous devotees, Jain monks, and visitors from all over the country. Despite stringent security measures, Bhagwat opted for an e-rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Sonar Fort, surprising many with his humble approach.
The short journey from Dussehra Chowk to the Parshvanath Jain Temple was seen as a significant gesture of humility and accessibility by the RSS leader. Upon reaching the temple, Bhagwat offered prayers in the Mool Gambhara, the sanctum sanctorum dedicated to Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara in Jain tradition. He prayed for the nation’s prosperity and well-being before visiting the historic Jinbhadra Suri Gyan Bhandar, a revered repository of ancient manuscripts, where he witnessed the legendary “Amar Chadar” believed to date back to the 11th century.
The Chadar Mahotsav, according to Jain beliefs, marks the formal consecration of the sacred cloth after almost nine centuries. More than 400 Jain saints and over 20,000 devotees have congregated in Jaisalmer for this auspicious occasion. A significant highlight of the festival is the planned global recitation of the Jain prayer “Dadaguru Ektisa” by an estimated 1.8 million devotees worldwide on Saturday, aiming to convey a message of global peace collectively.
The three-day Chadar Mahotsav, blending faith, history, and spiritual unity, will culminate on March 8, encapsulating a unique cultural experience in the desert city of Jaisalmer. President of the Jaisalmer Jain Trust, Mahendra Singh Bhansali, emphasized the festival’s deep reverence for Dada Gurudev, showcasing ancient garments that have been preserved meticulously for centuries. This Chadar Festival, a first in Jain community history, signifies a celebration of a spiritual legacy intertwined with Jain faith and traditions.
