A historic Paryushan festival is underway at Shri Siddhavad Tirth in Palitana, at the foothills of the sacred Shatrunjay Hill.
The celebrations are being held in the specially created Takshashila Nagari under the theme “Reside Within Yourself – Chaturmas at Siddhavad.”Guided by 175 Jain monks and nuns, nearly 1,100 devotees have taken vows of discipline—observing 21 hours of silence daily, renouncing mobile phones for two months, and dedicating six hours each day to religious study.
The festival, inspired by Acharya Hemvallabhsurishwarji, along with Panyas Labdhivallabhvijayji Maharaj and Panyas Yashratnavijayji Maharaj, is supported by the Hiralaxmiben Khantilal Shah family of Mumbai.
Speaking at the event, Acharya Hemvallabhsurishwarji said, “True happiness lies within. The soul’s strength is wasted when it seeks satisfaction from worldly desires.”Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi praised the devotees’ renunciation of mobile phones, while Shasanratna Kumarpaal V. Shah lauded their vow of silence and discipline.
The programme will also feature two five-day spiritual camps in September, followed by the extraordinary Siddhavad Adhyatmik Upadhan Tap in October. The festival will culminate with the auspicious Mokshmala celebration on November 21.