Date : 2005-03-31

The Atharah Abhishek ( Adhar (18) Abhishek)
Eighteen oblations for purity.

This activity is carried out for the sake of the purification and consecration of any old or new idol. any picture or engraved marble slab. At such times. to those things 18 oblations containing different kinds of pure water, herbs and some special substances, are offered.
This activity is regarded as very auspicious and beneficial.

The Anjan Shalaka
(Applying holy collyrium to the eyes of a new image)

The name Anjan Shalaka is given to the ceremony of decorating the eyes of new images of Jins with collyrium made of many special substances, using a gold?stick.
On this occasion, the following five auspicious events relating to the Lord are celebrated.

1. Chyavan -incarnation
   The incarnation of the Lord in his mother's womb.
2. Janm - birth
   The birth of the Lord.
3. Deeksha? Renunciation
   The event of the Lord's renunciation of worldly life and commencement of a life of austerity, discipline and attainments.
4. Kaivalya gnan
   The event of attaining absolute enlightenment after performing austerities and tapasya.
5. Nirvan
   Being completely delivered from the body and the karmas.

Only the event of the Kaivalyagnan is called Anjan Shalaka and it is arranged to be carried out at an auspicious and sacred period, at midnight,
The smearing of collyrium to the eyes of the image with a gold?stick can be done only by the Acharya Bhagavant, in the Jain command or by the Anuyogacharya, the one next to him.

Prathistha
Installation of the image of the Lord

Pratishtha is the name given to the ceremony of installing the image of the Lord in a newly built or a renovated Jain temple. But, of course, it is absolutely essential that Anjan Kriya should be done to the new image. (smearing of collyrium to the eyes of the image). This ceremony is carried out along with other celebrations for some days, The image of the Lord is installed by a noble householder at an auspicious time on an auspicious day. On this occasion many kinds of worship are offered to the sacred powers and divine objects along with singing of hymns and observances. The image installed in the temple is only a symbol; but actually. it should enable people to install the Lord in their hearts.

Rathyatra (Varghodo)
The holy Chariot procession

Rathyatra means taking the resplendent image of the Lord in a procession, in a chariot along the main roads of the city or town so that all people might have a darshan of the Bhagawan's radiant face. The Rathyatra is accompanied by a band (of musicians and players on various instruments) and by thousands of devotees, and by the fourfold society of Jains. It Is a procession of sublime radiance. It is called in spoken dialect Varghoda but its actual name is Rathyatra or Chaityayatra. Chaityayatra means having a darshan and worshipping the Chaityas or temples in the City.

Contributed By Harendra Shah,
e-mail address: haren_shah@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/haren_shah