Section 2: Touring Birgunj to Hetauda

Acharya Mahashraman and President of Nepal during Lord Mahaveer Birth Anniversary at Birgunj, Nepal

1st April: 2nd day of camping at Birgunj

Acharya Shree Mahashraman visited houses of 14 local families-followers at Birgunj in the morning hours. It was followed by usual discourse session. Local families got chance of very near presence of H.H in the afternoon.

2614th Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahaveer
2nd April:

People of Birgunj organized a procession in early morning hours on the occasion of 2614th Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahaveer.

Morning hour program was organized as a grand celebration of Mahaveer Birth Anniversary. President of Nepal H.E. Ramvaran Yadav was present as Chief Guest of the program. Honorable President highlighted in his speech that "spiritual and cultural philosophy of Lord Mahaveer has helped everyone in Nepal to imbibe qualities of non-violence, peace and morality. On present day's environment of sectarian conflicts and economic inequalities, Acharya Mahashraman's Ahimsa yatra will enlighten the world with Lord Mahaveer's non-violence, equanimity and Anekant (multiple viewpoint of truth). Peaceful co-existence is the practical aspect of Anekant.

Acharya Mahashraman accepting lifetime monkhood based on these values of Lord Mahaveer is source of inspiration for all of us. Present torchbearer of historical tradition of saint culture, Acharya Mahashraman's Nepal arrival will be very helpful in spreading peace in Nepalese sentiments and contribute towards Nepal development. Ahimsa Yatra will further intensify friendly relationship of India and Nepal and open new avenues for spiritual tourism in Nepal."

Nepalese National Anthem being played during Lord Mahaveer Birth Anniversary at Birgunj, Nepal

During personal conversation with Acharya Shree, The President mentioned: “I liked very much your today’s statement - ‘Nation is primary and political parties are secondary’. This recommendation is very useful for Nepal. Please discuss it with everyone, especially with the important people of all parties. Our country is functioning based on interim constitution. We are working to finalize the constitution but facing lot of hurdles. It’s very pleasing that you have come to Nepal. Please bless us that we successfully finalize the constitution, our country makes progress and Indo-Nepal relationship touches new height.” The president also explained Nepal’s journey of Monarchy to Democracy to Acharya Shree and requested to visit President House during Kathmandu visit.

In the late evening hours, devotional program - “An evening on Mahaveer” was organized.

Major highlights of Mahaveer Birth Anniversary celebration

To attend this program, President of Nepal cut short his five days China trip to four days. H.E. didn’t even take any rest to make it for the program. H.E. mentioned “I’m still shaking as I descended 14000 feet from Tibetan Plateau. I got pulled by your auspicious vibrations.”
In the 254 years history of Nepalese army, it was first time that only vegetarian meal was prepared at Birgunj army cantonment.
Maoist and more than 30 other parties planned for nationwide strike in Nepal on 2nd April. After knowing about Mahaveer birth anniversary celebration at Birgunj, they planned to relax the strike for Birgunj and nearby places. Finally they put a hold to the nationwide strike plan itself.
Birgunj and nearby places has more than 300 shops for meats. All these shops were closed due to Mahaveer birth anniversary
Thousands of people beyond Jain community also attended the program and accounted for more than 50% of the gathering.
Many distinguished personalities attended the program including 25 members of Nepal parliament. Also present were ex-members of parliament. The DIG, DIG - Intelligence, SP, SSP from Police department, Major General from Army, Officers from Special task force and Chief custom officer also attended this program.

Three days camping at Birgunj seem to have brought festive environment for all the people of Birgunj irrespective of them being Jains or not. There were discourses two times every day and attended by thousands. Noted local industrialists Mr. Vijay Shah quit his age old smoking habit. He left his cigarette packet for good at the camp site itself.

3rd April:

The next camping site after Birgunj was identified at Parbanipur at a distance of 7.7 KM. It took more than 5 hours for Acharya Shree to reach there as H.H visited 43 houses of the local followers at Birgunj. The actual walking distance became 12 KM. It was a very touching moment for the people to see their Guru at their home. The caravan crossed the Parsa district and moved on to the Baran district. On this occasion, the Chief District officer Mr. Balkrishna Panthi, Superintendent of Police Mr. Lokendra and Task force officer Mr. Praveen Kandel welcomed H.H to the new district. Together with 50 officials, they were waiting for H.H. since 7:30 in morning. H.H arrived at the campus of T M Duggar group of industries at Parbanipur around 11:40 AM for today’s camping. T M Duggar family, originally from Bikaner Rajasthan were very happy to have H.H. at their campus.

Acharya Mahashraman taking short break on the way towards Parbanipur from Birgunj, Nepal

Chief Custom Officer Mr. Mitralal Regani and Director-International Taxation Mr. Lekhnath Sharma visited Acharya Shree in the afternoon. Workers of the T M Duggar industries got guidance by H.H. and many of them quit non-vegetarian food habit.

4th April:

Acharya Shree started for Simara, the next destination, in the morning hours. H.H. guided local villagers for ideal lifestyle on the route. Many people vowed for addiction free life.

Acharya Mahashraman inspiring villagers for addiction free lifestyle on the way towards Simara in Nepal

On the way H.H. spotted a Cobra and in few minutes the snake moved on towards its destination. After walking 12.6 KM, H.H arrived at the next camping site - Hulaash Steel industries at Simara. The industry is owned by Golcchaa family of Ratangarh (Rajasthan) - Kathmandu. The factory workers got guidance from H.H on healthy life style in afternoon.

Weather took a turn in the evening with big thunderstorm striking. The storm was so harsh that the tin-shed roof cover in the factory started flying in all directions. No one from caravan got injured.

5th April:

Acharya Mahashraman started towards Amlekhgunj in the morning. Dense forest area has started with this journey. Thousands of trees of various varieties are making up for the greenery and scenic view.

Acharya Mahashraman on the way towards Amlekhgunj

There were sign boards at many places giving warning about area of wild elephants. After a walk of 12 KM, H.H. reached Amlekhgunj and camped at Shree Nepal Higher Secondary School. Usual discourse session was organized and H.H. also informed villagers about principles of Ahimsa Yatra. Weather was cool due to clouds during day and night.

6th April:

Acharya Mahashraman started from Amlekhgunj towards Ratomato in the morning. Uphill started from just near the camp itself. Mountains on one side and forest on other side of road was making it very scenic. Due to mild climb up during the day’s journey, it felt like caravan is practicing for the mountain journey from Hetauda onwards.

Ahimsa Yatra crossing a river on the way towards Ratomato

H.H. crossed over the nearby flowing river 2-3 times. It was very sunny during walking hours. Terrace agriculture could be seen in the mountains during the journey.

Short break on the way towards Ratomato

After a journey of 14.6 KM, H.H. arrived at Ratomato and camped at Shri Jagruti Secondary School. One of the lady teachers while welcoming H.H. mentioned of watching H.H. Discourse in TV every day and fortunate to see in person now. It was mostly cloudy during the rest of day time.

7th April:

Maoist and more than 30 other parties in Nepal have called for 3 days strike in Nepal. Acharya Mahashraman started towards Hetauda from Ratomato in morning hours. No traffic or people in entire path.

Ahimsa Yatra heading towards Hetauda. Milestone showing 53 KM distance to Raxaul in India

Nepal police was vigilant in guarding Ahimsa Yatra and was with the caravan. Maoist party members stopped and gheraoed the caravan at Hetauda. Their intention was not to disrupt the Ahimsa Yatra but rather wanted to pay respect to H.H and get blessing. They bowed down to H.H and fulfilled their wish to see H.H. Acharya Shree inspired them to imbibe values as propagated by Ahimsa Yatra. After a walk of 6 KM, H.H. arrived at Avocado and Orchid resort in Hetauda. Today’s camping is planned at this place. Mr. Arjun Sonali, owner of the resort, warmly welcomed H.H. Surrounded with high and green mountains on all sides, this place had beautiful natural landscape.

As per the planned schedule, H.H. has to take mountain and valley path from next day onwards. Visualizing the difficult up-and-down hill ways in the upcoming journey through high mountains, H.H. decided for Sadhvi Pramukha Kanakprabha to stay back at Birgunj. Sadhvi Pramukha Kanakprabha will see off H.H. next day and proceed back towards Birgunj. H.H. guided Sadhvi Pramukha Kanakprabha and accompanying nuns for aiming to meet again after 2 months around 8th June. Sadhvi Pramukha mentioned - “even though we are taking off from H.H. for a while but our heart will travel with H.H. to Kathmandu.”

H.H. organized a meeting of monk and nuns in the afternoon and gave direction and guidance for upcoming journey. Chief District Officer of Makanpur, Army Colonel, Superintendent of Police and Chief District Judge visited H.H. in the afternoon. President of local Business and Industries association called off his ongoing travel to see H.H. in Hetauda and came to see H.H. by cycling with wife due to strike. Eminent member of local Marwari Association visited H.H. with his family.

Acharya Mahashraman ►Ahimsa Yatra Nepal ►2 ►Touring Birgunj to Hetauda

Section 2: Touring Birgunj to Hetauda