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'Mangalayatan' is a Jain pilgrimage complex, promoted and developed by Shri Adinath Kund-Kund Kahan Digamber Jain Trust, at Aligarh, India. Rather than being just a group of temples, it is actually the realization of a broad socio-religious concept that encompasses devotion, social service, education and socio-religious research activities.
The temple-cum-research complex is situated on the Agra road (Aligarh-Agra
Highway), at a distance of around 5 kilometers from Aligarh and spans over an area of
80,000 square yards.
'Mangalayatan' complex is considered one of the largest Jain religious centres of its kind in the country.
A week long Panch Kalyanak Ceremony of Mangalayatan took place from 31st
January 2003 to 6th February 2003, in the presence of thousands of
devotees arriving from different parts of the world. Panch Kalyanak
Ceremony was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Sh. Bhairon Singh
Shekhawat, in the presence of Union Human Resources Development Minister
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi and the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sh. Vishnu Kant
Shashtri. The ceremony was concluded with inauguration of the Panch
Kalyanak Tirth Dham by Sh. Lal Krishna Advani, Dy. Prime Minister of
India, in the presence of India's former High Commissioner to the United
Kingdom, Sh. Lakshmi Malla Singhvi, MP. A little over two years ago, the
foundation stone of the complex was laid by Union Human Resources Development Minister Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi on December 27, 2000 in the presence of Sh. Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
First phase of Mangalayatan, thus, was complete within a record time span
of two years.
Mr.
Jain represents the ultimate form of human devotion to God. A heart
patient having experienced three bypass surgeries, he possesses an
incomparable amount of energy to accomplish things that he considers his
religious duty. He has only one mission, and that is Mangalayatan. A heart
patient for the last three decades, he is the source of power, courage,
energy and knowledge for thousands of people, who love and admire
him.
Aligarh is linked to major cities of the country by rail and road. It takes about three to reach New Delhi, the capital of India, by road. Railway journey to the city also takes the same time. The nearest airport is Agra, which is very well connected to major airport of the country.
What is Mangal (Mang+al)? The word 'mang' means 'happiness', and the one who brings happiness in our lives (Al-Layati) is called 'mangal.' (Shridhawala, Book-1, Page-34/35)
Mangalayatan tirth dham is
to be developed in three phases. Presently, it is undergoing the second
phase of development.
The complex consists of Bhagwan Adinath (Rishabhdev) temple with a 21 feet tall statue of Bhagwan Adinath (Rishabhdev) sitting over a kamal simhasan atop a 35 feet high artificial
hillock; a 63 feet high 'Manstanbh' of Bhagwan Adinath; a temple devoted to Bhagwan Mahavir; and another
temple housing Bhagwan Bahubali. According to the development plan, a grand 'Samvasaran' of Bhagwan Seemandharnath will also be a part of the sprawling 'Mangalayatan' complex.
One of the Major features of the complex is a modern and spacious research institute equipped with latest facilities for conducting studies on ancient Jain scriptures and manuscripts. It
includes a library which is engaged in preservation, documentation, cataloging
and reproduction of rare scriptures. The main objective of this centre is to study the fundamental principles of Jainism and the teachings of Grurudevshri kanji Swami among other noted Jain seers. The research centre cooperates with other institutions of its kind throughout the country and abroad. Proposals for getting the centre affiliated with a university and awarding of fellowships for research scholars are also
under consideration.
Shri Adinath Kund-Kund Kahan Digamber Jain Trust, the
organisation behind the project, was established in July 2000 in Aligarh. The trust works for religious and social upliftment of the society and spreads the message of Jinvani. Apart from building the 'Mangalayatan' complex, the body
is also planning to undertake other similar work of religious importance,
such as construction of Digambar Jin temples, dharmashalas, libraries and research institutions.
The trust will also carry out extensive charity activities in the field of education by establishing educational institutions of various levels, from primary schools to universities. The
is also engaged in publication of religious scriptures, books, magazines and journals to
publicize and spread the messages of Jinvani and Pujya Gurudevshri Kanji Swami.
it also conduct activities to instill qualities such as Truth, Non-violence,
Non-theft and Celibacy, among today's youth.
The organisation is also taking up other works of social and human welfare including establishment of hospitals and dispensaries, conducting pilgrimage tours etc. Everyone benefits from the Trust's activities, irrespective of his religion, caste or gender.
The trust, working from its head office at Vimalanchal, Hari Nagar, Aligarh, has renowned Jain scholar Pt. Kailash Chandra Jain as its Founder and Chief Patron.
'Mangalayatan' is the brainchild of Sh. Pawan Jain, who,
due to the sanskaras that he got due to being born in a highly religious
family and the good karmas of his earlier lives, decided to work dedicatedly for the sacred
cause. Inspiration for accomplishing this Herculean task came from his father Pt. Kailash Chand
Jain, who himself is a great Jain scholar. Gurudevshri Kanji Swami's
blessings and a divine support made the project possible.
Sh. Pawan Jain, Chairman of Aligarh's well-known Pavna group of industries
and an active member of many social and religious organisations, actually wanted to construct a building of an engineering college at the
location. But he changed his mind and decided to donate the land for the cause of Jainism. He came up with an idea of building a Bahubali temple complex at the place.
Enthused with the support that he received from the fellow Jains, he later decided to expand the plan to make it a
large Tirth Dham (pilgrimage centre). Apart from the land donated by Sh. Jain, another piece of land was purchased to cover an area of 40,000 sq. yards on the Agra road, near Sasni in Hathras district. "Had I not received the active support and immensely encouraging response from the Jain Samaj, I would not have been able to take this task up in my hands," Says Pawan Jain.
'Mangalayatan' complex could not have got a better location. The place falls under the limits of village
Sasni, birth-place of Pt. Daulatramji, the revered writer of popular Jain scripture Shri Chheh-dhala.
The Aligarh-New Delhi road link is some 135 kilometers long while the railway rout between the two cities has a length of 110 kilometers. There are almost a dozen trains available from Delhi for Aligarh. Agra and Mathura cities are 65 and 50 kilometers away from Aligarh, respectively.
Another interpretation of Mangal (Mam+Gal) is done this way: The word 'Mam' means sin, and the one who rids us (Gal) from that sin is called 'mangal.' (Acharyakalpa Pt. Todarmalji, Shri Mokshamargprakashak, Adhikar-I).
What is Ayatan? Ayatan is Sanskrit for volume or place. Therefore, A place that will be instrumental in bringing happiness to our lives and ridding us from our sins is called 'Mangalayatan.'
Let's all come together to make 'Mangalayatan' a great pilgrimage centre that rekindles the light of happiness, truth, non-violence and 'dharma' into every devotee's soul. Let it inspire every human being to follow the path of righteousness and learn to live in harmony with all other living and non-living entities. Let's make 'Mangalayatan'
project a grand success!
Shri Adinath Kund Kund Kahan Digambar Jain Trust, Aligarh. Uttar Pradesh. India