HereNow4U - Living Jainism Tour 2006 - 04.02 Ahimsa Yatra : Taranagar - Mahatma (2)

Start of Ahimsa Yatra to next destination was accompanied by a variety of views and sounds we have documented in a

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It was very special following the saints on Ahimsa Yatra. Their presence, together with the landscape and the sky, created an atmosphere rendering silent those who were with them. Although distance in kilometres was not much, it was an occasion to transcend constriction of tunnel vision.

We reached the outskirts of the town and walls instead of houses bordered the street. The saints were accompanied by a group of about thirty gentlemen who succeeded in keeping up with the speed of the saints, whereas some women returned to their houses in town, called back by daily responsibilities. At the crossroad to Jaipur, Acharyashree and Yuvacharyashree blessed Munishrees Madhur and Dharm Kumarji who headed for Jaipur. A short way the ladies of Mahila Mandal Taranagar accompanied Ahimsa Yatra and then returned to town.

Suddenly a car stopped and Dr. Baid approached H.H. Acharya Mahaprajnaji and joined Ahimsa Yatra.

Now we were in the desert. Some clouds appeared and the wind-dispersed sand penetrated the air. The blue sky was reflected in the white robes of the saints. Fully loaded cars came along; inside several persons occupied one single seat. It looked like a fully equipped caravan crossing the desert, a curious contrast to the unpropertied saints and the landscape.

The further we moved, the lesser people continued walking and the more cars joined. The saints were detached and seemed not taking any notice of the environment. They were concentrated on the destination to reach and the goal of Ahimsa Yatra, to create awareness for non-violence. We admired their strong-willingness and tender-heartedness, they did not exchange a single word the whole way long.

Dr. Baid was the first to reach Mahatma on foot. He announced arrival of Acharyashree and the Sangh to the waiting people, the welcome delegation adopted final position. They were happy for the change of schedule; otherwise, Ahimsa Yatra would not have touched Mahatma. A man with Terapanthi flag sat on a decorated camel with his son; the dignitaries were gathered at the crossing where the smaller way to the village branches off the street seemingly leading to nowhere. The people seemed familiar with him and enjoyed the arrival of as many visitors this day, as they are used to receive the whole year. People wore their best clothes and all animals on the way were decorated with beautiful garments. People exclaimed, „Vande, Guru Varam!“ and “Jaihoo!”, chanted religious songs and felt honoured and proud to receive the visitors. The eyes of the children beamed with joy.

The saints on their way to the schoolhouse where they were accomodated

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