A thousand temporary cottages, prayer hall and dining area have come up in Madhavaram to host Jain Acharya Mahashraman during his four-month-long stay for Chaturmas.
According to the members of the Acharya Shree Mahashraman Chaturmas Pravas Vyvastha Samithi, the 11th acharya of the Swethambar Therapanth Jains would begin his discourse on July 22 at the Jain Terapanth Nagar, Madhavaram. During Chaturmas, saints usually stay at one place and and give discourses to the public.
The acharya has walked all across the country covering 42,000 km and thousands of his devotees are expected to come to listen to his discourses. “During his stay here from Shravan to Karthik month, devotees from all over the country will converge here for different periods of time to get gyan from him,” said Dharmchand Lunkad, president of the Samithi.
“People have even bought flats in a nearby apartment complex since our acharya is coming here. The place where he will preach and bless devotees will be converted into a school after the Chaturmas. The facilities have come up on 27 acres of land taken on lease with contributions from devotees,” said Chatarmal Baid, vice-president of the Samithi.
The Samithi’s treasurer Lalit Dugar said it had been 50 years since an acharya came to Chennai. The 9th acharya, Sri Thulsi, had come here in July 1968. On July 22, Governor Banwarilal Purohit will lead the Nagrik Abhinandan to the guru after which the Chaturmas will commence.
