Khartargachha Millennium

December 26, 2023

Khartargachha Millennium

A commemorative postage stamp on Kharatara Gaccha, one of the most prominent and oldest living sect of Jain Shwetamber Sangh :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 26, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on the Khartargachha Millennium and appreciates its endeavour of serving humanity.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Brahm Prakash

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 303900

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

‘Khartargachha’ is one of the most prominent and oldest living sect of Jain Shwetamber Sangh. Around 2,600 years ago, Lord Mahavir was the 24^th Tirthankar of Jains. In the lineage of Lord Mahavir, Gautam Swami and Sudharma Swami succeeded him in due course. Lord Mahavir had prescribed strict rule based regime to be followed by Jain Sadhu-Sadhvis and their followers.
With influx of time, distortions creeped into lives of some Sadhus. They had started living in temples (Chaitya) and hence were also known as ‘Chaityavasi’. To lead an easy life, they had gradually discarded the strict regime of monk life prescribed by Lord Mahavir. There were however some true followers of Lord Mahavir, who scrupulously followed his path and regime.
Around Vikram Samvat 1078-79, Acharya Vardhman Suri, who was the 39^th heir to the lineage of Lord Mahavir, and Sudharma Swami alongwith his disciples including Acharya Jineshwar Suri started moving from Delhi towards Gurjar Pradesh (now, Gujarat) and reached Patan in Vikram Samvat 1980. At that time, Patan was dominated by Chaityavasi Acharyas notably Suracharya and Sadhus and they had great influence over the King and its people. At the behest of Chaityavasi Sadhus, misinformation was spread about Acharya Vardhman Suri and his disciples and word reached the King. At the advice of his Mantri, the King ordered a debate (Shastrartha) between Suracharya and Jineshwar Suri started in the presence of King Durlabh Raj. Finally, after long debate with many Granths by both the contestants, King Durlabh Raj, impressed with arguments and testimonies presented and declared Acharya Jineshwar Suri, who succeeded as the 40^th heir to lineage of Lord Mahavir. Thereafter, his Sadhus and followers were known as Khartargachhiya and group of his followers, Sadhus-Sadhvis etc. came to be known as ‘Khartargachha’. Thus, 1000 years ago, Khartargachha came into existence and is now entering its Millennium Year (Sahasrabdi Varsh – 1000th year) in Vikram Samvat 2080 (Year 2023-24 AD).
Since then, Khartargachha is continuously moving forward in its glorious journey. In the long and glorious history of Khartargachha spanning these 1000 years, many famous Acharyas, Sadhu-Sadhvis, scholars, litterateurs, painters, sculptors and philanthropists have greatly enriched our nation and its socio-cultural milieu by different means and methods. Acharya Jin Dutt Suri, Acharya Manidari Jin Chandra Suri, Acharya Shri Jin Kushal Suri, Akbar Pratibodhak Acharya Shri Jin Chandra Suri, Mahopadhyaya Samay Sundarji, Acharya Kshma Kalyan Sagar Suri etc. were famous Scholar-Acharyas, who authored many important granths and propounded original thinking on complex spiritual issues. This resulted greater and deeper understanding of concept and application of various principles. More than 400 years ago, Mahopadhyaya Samay Sundar was a scholar par excellence, who defined and described a single sentence of 8 words into 8,00,000 ways. In the lineage of these illustrious Khartargachha Acharyas and Sadhus, many of their disciples have propagated and spread the principles and teachings of Jain Dharma through nook and corner of the country. Four most famous Acharyas namely Acharya Abhay Dev Suri, Acharya Jin Dutt Suri, Acharya Manidari Jin Chandra Suri, were out of reverence known as ‘Dada Gurudev’ and temples dedicated to them are known as ‘Dadabari’. There are around 800-900 Dadabaris situated in every part of the country, where thousands of faithfuls and followers visit to pay obeisance to them. Khartargachha Acharyas visited many kings and rulers to show them the right path and influenced them and inspired them to declare prohibition of slaughter of animals on several occasions. Thus, lives of many precious animals were saved, which is a living testimonial of adherence to principles of Ahimsa.
There have been many eminent Khartargachha Scholars like Shri Agar Chand Nahata, Shri Bhanwar Lal Nahata, who have authored more than 100 books and more than 5,000 articles and painstakingly collected and deciphered many old, rare manuscripts. Another great scholar, Mahopadhyaya Shri Vinay Sagar ji made significant contribution to literature by authoring, editing and translating many important books. Khartargachha Shravaks and Sanghs have built many famous temples and Tirths, which are marvels of sculpture especially Temple sculpture. Around 250 years ago, Seth Motishah, a Khartargachha Shravak, concerned with various accidents and injuries to pilgrims decided to build a grand temple by joining two hillocks and filling and levelling the vast land between these hillocks at Palitana (Gujarat). Many Paintings and art works by Khartargachha followers are mesmerizing and are invaluable. Many philanthropists from this sect have built institutions like Granth bhandars, schools, colleges, hospitals, dharmshalas, old age homes, auditoriums etc. in many parts of the country. These institutions are helping needy and people of weaker sections without any distinction of caste, creed, religion, sex, state, language or province.
By dint of their hard work and principled life, Khartargachha followers have earned respect and admiration of every section of society. Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and Satya (Truthfulness) are undiluted core values, which every Khartargachhiya follower practices without any compromise or exception. Thus, its followers are always at forefront in making positive and significant contributions to society and country at large.
Khartargachha sect is fully determined to carry forward this glorious legacy to greater heights and glory by re-inventing itself and re-dedicating to serve humanity with great zeal in this rare and historical period of Millennium Year (Sahasrabdi year – 1000th year). We are proud of our past, are safe and secure in present and confident of future. We will march forward with vision, vigour and determination to contribute to the nation building and social welfare in a true and righteous manner.
Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.