2016 – Annual Jathre Mahotsava at Kundadri

Kundadri (Tirthahalli Taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka), January 14, 2016: The Annual Jathre (fair) and Makara Sankranthi pooja at 1008 Sri Parshwanath Swamy Digambar Jain temple on Kundadri hillock was held on January 14, 2016. Jala Abhisheka & Panchamruta Abhisheka were performed to Lord Parshwanath on this Kalikunda Yantra Aradhana, Shodashopachara pooja to Goddess Padmavati and special pooja to the Pada (feet impressions) of Acharya Kundakunda were performed. The pooja and other proceedings were held under the guidance of His Holiness Swasti Sri Devendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of Hombuja Jain Math.
Speaking on the occasion – His Holiness Swamiji said that “Samyak Darshana-Jnana-Charitrya are the important gems of life and we will be able to achieve them by visiting holy places. By visiting Kundadri the Tapobhoomi of Acharya Kundakunda we will be able to achieve purity of thoughts. This will help us adopt this in our day to day life”. Further he said that “Kundadri has a great natural beauty and the Jain Math has undertaken a lot of developmental activites here without affecting this beauty. It is the duty of the devotees, pilgrims and visitors to help maintain this and should not polute this place”.
Thousands of devotees from across Karnataka had gathered at Kundadri for the event.
About Kundadri – Kundadri is an ancient Jain Heritage Centre with a history of over 1800 years. Renowned Digambar Jain Acharya Kundakunda spent most of his life at Kundadri composing great Jain spiritual classics. It has an ancient temple with a Manastambha located at an altitude of 3300 feet above sea level in Shimoga district, Karnataka. The temple is Built around the idol of Lord Parshwanath. The idol carved on a rock is an integral part of the rock even to this day.

– Sri Kshetra Hombuja