Acharya Mahashraman Ahimsa Yatra Nepal
Birgunj - Kathmandu - Biratnagar

1. Nepal Entry
2. Touring Birgunj to Hetauda
3. Ascending from Hetauda to Kathmandu
4. Camping in Kathmandu
5. Descending from Kathmandu to Janakpur
6. Cross border Tour - Janakpur to Biratnagar

Section 1: Nepal Entry

Ahimsa Yatra crossing Indo-Nepal border through Shankaracharya  Gate

31st March 2015:

Personifying iron determination, Acharya Shree Mahashraman scripted golden history of the Era. People gathered from all sides with boundless joy and excitement to witness the scene. Everywhere it echoed - “Jai Jai Jyoti charan: Jai Jai Mahashraman”.

With strong will power, Acharya Shree crossed all the difficulties and overcame all odds to walk from Kelwa in Rajasthan to Kuccha in Gujrat and then to Birgunj in Nepal via Delhi. Nepal - land of Lord Mallinath, Lord Neminath and Lord Buddha, land of Acharya Bhadrabahu’s spiritual exertions, has a new name added to it, its camping site of Acharya Mahashraman. In the 255 years history of Terapanth order, it is first time that an Acharya crossed Indian border.

Acharya Mahashraman’s Ahimsa Yatra journey route from Delhi to Birgunj in Nepal

Acharya Shree started from Raxaul in India from his camp at 8:21 AM, leading a big caravan towards Nepal. Indo-Nepal chamber of commerce declared the highway as “Ahimsa Path” to commemorate arrival of Ahimsa Yatra caravan.

Acharya Shree was at the border around 8:44 AM. H.H. stopped at the border for a while and a small program got organized. H.H. remembered Lord Mahaveer, Acharya Bhikshu, Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya on this occasion.

It was 9:07 AM in Indian clock and 9:22 AM in Nepalese clock when Acharya Shree stepped in to a land outside India. Thousands of eyes witnessed this moment. Huge crowd gathered at Shankaracharya gate and it wasn’t easy for the Nepalese police to manage the crowd. Vice Prime Minister of Nepal Shree Prakashmaan Singh was ready with traditional custom to welcome Acharya Shree but got lost in the huge crowd and couldn't manage to reach Acharya Shree. Hundreds of officers from Nepal police were trying to manage the situation.

Sadhvi Pramuka Kanakprabha and group of Nuns towards Terapanth Bhawan in Birgunj

Nepal Police musical band welcomed H.H with melodious music and became part of the big caravan. Numerous troops demonstrating Nepalese culture welcomed H.H and got assimilated with the caravan. Students of Pashupatinath School and Adarsh School also participated in the troops. Numerous communities and social organizations of Birgunj constructed welcome gates. Entire Birgunj city was decorated that clearly showcased excitement of various sections of people of Birgunj. Whole city got colored with Mahashraman.

Arrival at Birgunj Terapanth Bhawan

Acharya Shree reached local Terapanth Bhawan at Birgunj after a walk of 5 km. Three days stay is planned in this center. An elaborate welcome ceremony was organized. Locals from Birgunj, many groups from Kathmandu and Biratnagar together with noted people from political arena of Nepal participated in the program.

Acharya Mahashraman with Vice Prime Minister of Nepal on the way towards Terapanth Bhawan in Birgunj

Vice Prime Minister of Nepal Shree Prakashmaan Singh representing Nepal Government extended hearty welcome. Brief of the Vice Prime Minister's welcome speech:

"It's a historical day for Nepal. Great personality, venerable Acharya Mahashraman has arrived here. Time since the Nepal camping was announced and when the travel towards Nepal started from Delhi, we have been waiting for you. You have graced land of Nepal by stepping in your holy feet.

Nepal will get new direction in character building, resolving social backdrops. Venerable Acharya Shree is promoting social harmony, moral values and addiction free life style. Your contribution towards people and society building can never be forgotten and we are fully confident of their transformation through Ahimsa Yatra."

Acharya Mahashraman greeted the assembly in Nepalese and then continued with discourse in Hindi. Acharya Shree explained true meaning of religion, its means and ways and inspired people for core principles of Ahimsa Yatra viz. social harmony, moral values and addiction free life. Many people in the assembly together with the Vice Prime Minister of Nepal took vows to follow these principles.

Background and major highlights of this historical moment:

• Acharya Mahashraman announced touring outside India on 8th October 2011 at Kelwa, Rajasthan. Kelwa is famous for formation of Terapanth order. Thereafter Acharya Shree walked thousands of kilometers and bravely crossed all difficulties to realize the declaration.
• Acharya Shree entered Kanpur (UP, India) on 27th January 2015 for celebrating Maryada Mahotsav. After Kanpur sojourn, he walked every day and reached Nepal on 31st March. H.H. never stayed at same place consecutively for two nights during this travel.
• Thousands of people gathered to witness this moment from Indian states of Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujrat, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam together with local people from Nepal.
• People from all creeds participated in this event irrespective of they being Jains or not
• Seeing the magnanimity of Ahimsa Yatra, Government sealed the Indo-Nepal border highway for heavy vehicles on 30-31st March during walking hours of the caravan.
• Govt. of Nepal waived off the halting fee for vehicles of various camps and groups as part of Ahimsa Yatra caravan for 3 days.
• Weather was supportive. Atmosphere was cool due to clouds. People expected rain but there wasn't any which made the Nepal entry very smooth.
• Country borders couldn't hold the enthusiasm of sea of people. General mass was holding Nepalese, Indian and Jain flags.
• Various societies of Birgunj decorated the city in a way that there were talks of Birgunj not decorated so nicely even during the king visit in monarchical days. Birgunj has never  seen this grand welcome to someone in past
• Acharya Shree entered Nepal with 43 monks and 51 nuns altogether. Many from members from Samani group also joined H.H. It's a matter of research if such a big Jain group entered Nepal or not after Acharya Bhadrabahu.
• Home Ministry of Nepal Govt. took good care of security. 500 policemen were vigilant at the border.
• Apart from Nepal Vice Prime Minister, many eminent personality from Nepal also attended the welcome ceremony. Some of the noted dignitaries were: Member of parliament of Nepal govt. - Sh. Rajendra Bahadur Amaatya, Sh. Lal Babu, Sh. Surendra Chaudhary, Sh. Vichari Yadav, Sh. Jay Prakash Tharu; District head of Parsa Sh. Keshav Dhingre, Supritendent of Police Sh. Divesh Lohani, Nepal Ex-minister Sh. Ajay Chourasia, Ex-MP Sh. Om Prakash Sharma, Indian Counselor Sh. Syed Mohammed Akhtar, President of Press Media Sh. Syham Banjara, Sh. Bhima Bahadur Thapa of Special Task Force, leaders from many political parties and many police officers.
• One of the main TV news channel of Nepal "AV news channel" broadcasted the program Live