Statue of Peace – Rajasthan
Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj statue is recently unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthan. The Statue of Peace unveiling marks the 151st birth anniversary occasion of Jain monk Acharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj. The statue is installed at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, Rajasthan.
Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj was a Jain saint who lived from 1870-1954. The Saint practiced the Jaina teaching of non-violence, brotherhood, tolerance, and compassion for the welfare of society as a whole. He was a great spiritualist, scholar, educationist, crusader of peace, social reformer, and exponent of Hindi and true nationalism.
He was born in Vadodara, Gujarat in 1870 and his parents inculcated in him the spirit to strive for divine bliss. He found peace and happiness in listening to the sermons of his holiness Acharyashree Vijayanand Suriji Maharaj (popularly known as guru Atmaramji) the then highly venerated saint and a profound scholar of Jainism in India. He has worked relentlessly for the welfare of the masses, the spread of education, the eradication of social evils, and more. He spread the message of Lord Mahavira.
He initiated various programs to eradicate Ignorance, superstition, and illiteracy. his humane approach, scientific outlook, and practical life endeared him to the masses. He was bestowed with Acharyaship in 1924 at Lahore(in Pakistan). He was actively involved in the movement for Independence and also support the cause of the Swadeshi movement.
The visionary Acharya Vallabh was instrumented in the establishment of many schools, colleges, gurukuls, and libraries in addition to temples for worship. There are over 50 institutes operational across the country after being inspired by him Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
He always endeavored for unity and solidarity amongst the Jain community and taught them to lead a moral life and serve humanity. He stressed the need to restrict to a vegetarian diet and shun alcohol and other vices. His sermons carried courage and conviction he worked with great zeal for the all-around development of the community – nay the people at large. Identifying himself with the freedom struggle, he patronized the use of Khadi & swadeshi.
He adopted Hindi even though his mother tongue was Gujarati. He has composed a number of devotional hymns and pujas, besides writing essays and granths. He was adorned with the titles of Kalilal-Kalpataru, Ajnan Timir Tarani, and Punjab Kesari which he never coveted. Acharya Shree Ji attained Samadhi on 22 September 1945 in Mumbai.
Suggested Read: Statue of Unity
The Statue of Peace is 151 in tall and is made using eight metals with copper being the major constituent, Ashtadhatu. Ashtadhatu is an important alloy of metals in the Jains and Hindu cultures, and the alloy is considered pure and does not decay. The eight metals in Ashtadhatu are gold, silver, lead, tin, zinc, copper, mercury, and iron. In the alloy used in making the statue copper is the dominant metal.
The Statue in honor of Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj has been named as ‘Statue of Peace’.
Suggested Read: Rajasthan – Culture and Tradition
