Guru Saptami Mahotsav

Guru Saptami Mahotsav

Acharya Srimad Rajendrasur ji ( 1826–1906 ) was a major reformer of the 18th and 19th century in the Swetambara sector of Jainism. He was born on 3 December 1827, at Bharatpur (Rajasthan), in the family of the businessman named Rishabhadas Parakh. His born name is Ratna Raj.

He had a religious bent of mind. He renounced the worldly life and was initiated as Jain yati by Hemavijayaji at Udaipur in 1846 AD. He had studied diligently the Jain scriptures, philosophy, literature, grammar, rhetoric, lexicography, etc. under Acharya Pramodsuri and Jain Monk Sagarchandji, the well-known yatis of the age, and soon he acquired proficiency.

He raised his voice against the corrupt and luxurious life of the Jain yatis and condemned their abundance of possession and insisted on a pious ideal life in accordance with the principles laid down by Jain Tirthankaras and Jain holy scriptures.

He also took vigorous attempts to reform the institution of Jain yati and place it on sound, simple and rational principles, and get rid of its age old traditions and superstitions. Though opposed in the initial stages, the attempts of Rajendrasuri were ultimately crowned with success. As a result of this, the Jain Monk had given up their worldly life and surrendered their princely symbols like silver rods, chanwar, palkhi, arms, etc. to the Jain temples, and took solemn oath to lead a life of purity, simplicity, non-possession, non-violence, teaching and preaching.

Thus Rajendrasuri reformed and simplified the Jain monk institution, Tristutik sect of Jainism, and a new life of revivalism was infused in them. His other achievements were restoration and reconstruction of Jain temples and installation of Jain images and establishment of different socio-religious organizations for the uplift of the Jains and propagation of Jainism.

On Friday 21 December 1906, Vikram Samvat 1963 Poush Shukla Saptami, the great helping nature, Religious-Preacher Acharya Rajendrasuri laid down his body for the Moksha Prapti (for heaven) until death in a still Samadhi. He was considered a great saint, who was in his own a different kind, having the same day of birth and death.

After the 100 years of Nirvan, Shri Mohankheda Tirth is the most-reputed holy place all over the world.

Every year devotees from all over world (in lakhs) gather here to attain the Spiritual and Chamatkarik Aarti of Acharya Rajendrasuri on his birth and Nirvana day in the Hindu calendar month Poushshukla paksha Saptami.

Mohan Kheda is a Swetambara Jain tirtha ( pilgrimage place ) located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh in India. It was established by Acharya Rajendrasuri (1826–1906), around 1884 and is today an important Gyana kshetraor Jain center of learning as well.

This tirtha has a 16-foot-tall (4.9 m) statue of the first Tirthankara, in the lotus position, and the samadhi derasar of Acharyas Rajendrasuriji, Yatindra suriji, Vidhyachandra suriji and Hemendra suriji.

A fair is held here every year on the fifteenth day of the bright half of the month of Kartika, the month of Chaitra, and the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Pausha.