Mohankheda

Mohan Kheda is a Svetambara Jain tirtha (pilgrimage place) situated in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh in India. Situated 47 km from Dhar on the Indore-Ahmedabad Highway, it was established by Acharya Rajendrasuri (1826–1963), around 1940 and is today an important Gyana kshetra or Jain center of learning aw well.^[1]

This Tirtha has a 16 foot tall statue of the first Tirthankara in the lotus position and the samadhi derasar of Acharyas Rajendrasuri, Yatindrasuri and Vidhyachandrasuri. 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.

History

In 1884, Acharya Rajendrasuri was wandering about through this place, seeing the natural and peaceful atmosphere, he predicted that this land would rise in holiness and there would be a great tirtha. Accordingly a holy tirtha came into existence here.

In 1884 CE, on Margshirsha Shukla 7th all Jina bimbas including Rishab Bhagwan were established after anjan shalaka by pujya gurudev Rajendrasuri ji. Pujya Gurudev declared after puja that this derasar will be called a great pilgrim place. It should be named "Mohankheda" hence after.

In 1906, Acharya Rajendrasuri died in Rajgarh. Thousands of his disciples bid him good bye and paid their last homage to him on the ground of Jinalaya on Pausha Sudi 7th. His disciples constructed a memorial samadhi temple and a fair started taking place on Paush Sudi 7th.

Mohankheda Tirtha is 108 years old and full of peaceful atmosphere. The old temple was renovated in 1957, and its murti were re-established by the chief disciple of Yatindrasuri and Chandrasuri. The new temple has images of Rishabha, Parshva and others. In front of Jinalaya there is a temple memorialising Rajendrasuri. There is another in front of this one in the memory of Dhanchandrasuri, including statues of Shrimad Bupendra surishwarji and Mohan Vijayji. On the main gate a temple is built in memory of chief disciples of Yatindrasuri and near Dharmashala there is a memorial temple of motivator builder of renovated temple, Shrimada Vijaya Vidyachandra Surishwarji. Both the gurus had sought salvation on this holy land.

Today Mohankheda has developed in as a grand place of pilgrim. There are three big resthouse having 250 rooms for the comfort and convenience of the visitors. The visitors get free breakfast, lunch and dinner under the care of Shri Adinath Rajendra Jain Shwetamber Cheritable Trust. Adinath Jain Gurukul is being run in connection of training of Jain culture and religion. There is also one academic school from class first to eighth and 150 students are studying in it.

Guru Saptami Mahotsav

Acharya Rajendrasuri (1826–1963)^[2] was the major reformer of 18th and 19th century in shwetambar sector of Jainism.He was born on the 3rd December, 1827 at Bharatpur (Rajasthan) in a family of business man named Rishabhadas Parakh.His born name is Ratna Raj. He was having religious bent of mind.He renounced the worldly life and was initiated as Jain yati by Hemavijayaji at Udaipur in 1846 A.D.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 yatis/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 simplifies the Jain yati/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 the 21st December Friday 1906 A.D.,Vikram Samvat 1963 Pous Shukla Saptami,the great helping nature, Religious-Preacher Acharya Rajendrasuri laid down his body for the Moksha Prapti (for heaven) till death in a still Samadhi.A great saint who was in his own a different kind having same date of birth and death.

After the 100 years of Nirvan, Shri MohanKheda Tirth is 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 by Hindu calendar month poush shukla paksha Saptami.

References

• Gurudev Introduction

1. ^ "Mohankheda". india9. http://www.india9.com/i9show/Mohankheda-25566.htm. 
2. ^ "About Gurudev: Pujya Gurudev Shrimad Vijay Rajendrasurji Maharaj". mohankheda.org. http://mohankheda.org/aboutgurudev.html. 

• Mohankheda Photo gallery Dhar district website

External links

• Official Trust Website For Mohankheda Jain Pilgrim - Guru Rajendra of Mohankheda, website
• Mohan Kheda Tirth, website
• Mohankheda, Jain Tirth at wikimapia