Acharya Mahashraman Ahimsa Yatra Nepal
Birgunj - Kathmandu - Biratnagar

Content:

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 4: Camping in Kathmandu

4.6: Last week in Kathmandu

Acharya Mahashraman in front of Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

No change in upcoming travel plan: Decision for Journey on Foot through the mountain range

16^th May:

Acharya Mahashraman announced the decision to keep the upcoming travel plan as it is in an assembly of monks, nuns and followers after the sunrise. This announcement has put a full stop to all the speculations making rounds since last many days. H.H. read out the written decision:

Arham

16^th May 2015

• Planning to start journey from Kathmandu from 21st May
• Would like to enter Biratnagar for Chaturmaas (four months camping) on 22nd July
• Regarding this journey, I don’t want to use vehicle (plane, car, etc.) in this journey. It can be revisited if such a situation arises

The journey on foot from Kathmandu till Biratnagar should be taken as an inspiration for spiritual exertion.

- Acharya Mahashraman
Kathmandu (Nepal)

It might be noted that camping in Kathmandu was planned till 21st May before H.H. Kathmandu arrival itself and there is no change in Kathmandu camping duration.

Prayer for Peace near Pashupatinath

Volunteers of Baghmati Cleaning Mission visited H.H. last evening and requested for H.H.’s presence at Peace Prayer organized outside the Pashupatinath Temple premises for earthquake victims. The team wanted to start the cleaning work of Baghmati River for 105th week on Saturday morning after the peace prayer meet. H.H. agreed to it and went to the venue outside the Pashupatinath Temple premises in the morning hours today.

The temple committee secretary welcomed H.H. Few minutes silence was observed in the beginning of the program to pray for peace of the souls of earthquake victims. Representatives of Gayatri group, Buddhist group, AMALE party were also present.

Peace Prayer assembly for Earthquake victims near Pashupatinath Temple

Ex-Prime Minister Mr. Khilraj Regmi and Ex-Prime Minister Mr. Sherbahadur Deuva were also present on this occasion. Mr. Deuva mentioned in his speech - “Great Guru of Jainism Acharya Mahashraman is with us in this very difficult period.  We get lot of support with this.” H.H. recited Namashkar Mahamantra and some parts of “Logassa” hymn to start a short speech. Many artists, politician, renowned industrialists were present on this occasion.

Regular morning hour discourse assembly was organized at campsite. Minister of Forest and earth preservation dept. Mr. Mahesh Acharya was present during the assembly.

There was a severe tremor in the evening that lasted for around 20 seconds. H.H. came outside and after some time went back to camping room.

Chief of Nepal Army General Gaurav Shamsher Rana in conversation with Acharya Mahashraman

Chief of Nepal Army General Gaurav Shamsher Rana visited H.H. in the evening.

17^th May:

Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Sushil Koirala in conversation with Acharya Mahashraman

Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Sushil Koirala visited H.H. after the sunset. The Prime Minister during the discussion touched upon two most challenging difficulties that Nepal is facing currently viz. the earthquake and the constitution creation. The Prime Minister sought H.H. blessing to come out of these difficulties smoothly and re-affirmed H.H. presence and blessings gives moral support. The prime Minister wanted to discuss bit more but due to H.H “Pratikraman” (formal daily retrospection) time, the discussion was made shorter.

President of Nepal National Republican Party and Ex - Minister Mr. Kamal Thapa, senator and Ex - Foreign Minister Mrs. Sujata Koirala, Mr. Prakashsharan Mahato and Kiran Yadav also visited H.H. today.

Chief Secretary of Nepal Mr. Lilamani Pokhrel visiting Acharya Mahashraman

Chief Secretary of Nepal Mr. Lilamani Pokhrel visited H.H. in evening hours and discussed about blockage in constitution creation, earthquake, and lack of value based education system. H.H also brought up topic on stoppage of animal sacrifices.

18^th May:

Marwari Sewa Samiti organized a small program in the afternoon to launch “Acharya Mahashraman Education Trust” in presence of H.H.

President of “Akhtiyaar Durupayog Anusandhaan Aayog” Mr. Lokmanya Karki visited H.H. in the afternoon. This organization (Intelligence Bureau), headed by Mr. Karki, investigates the criminal cases and has authority to bring even the Prime Minister of Nepal under its investigation.

Ex-Vice Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Ramchandra Podhel visited H.H. in the evening. Minister of Food Procurement and Trade Mr. Sushil Thapa, President of Nepal Trade Union Mr. Khilnath Dahal also visited H.H. today. Chief Editor of popular Newspaper “Gorkha Patra” Mr. Sitaram Agrahari took Press interview of H.H. Management and Employees of Sunrise Bank and Guransh Life Insurance, Members of “Entrepreneur Organization” got guidance from H.H.

19^th May:

Acharya Mahashraman visiting Police Head Quarters.  Chief of Nepal Police Mr. Upendra Kant Aryal is on the right

Acharya Mahashraman went to the Police Head Quarters in the morning after Breakfast. Chief of Nepal Police Mr. Upendra Kant Aryal and the Police Department warmly welcomed H.H. This visit was requested by Mr. Aryal. While walking together towards program venue, Mr. Aryal showed H.H. the location where H.H. had camped for two days upon the earthquake.

Acharya Mahashraman addressing assembly at Police Head Quarters, Kathmandu

Mr. Aryal in his speech mentioned - “Acharya Mahashraman’s blessing for us is a hint of start of our good fortune”. H.H. acknowledged the hard work of police personnel and their commitment for nation service. H.H. inspired the police personnel for adopting value based living, vegetarian food habit and leading peaceful life.  The police personal also accepted the three principles of Ahimsa Yatra. 9 of the 10 IGs of Nepal Police were present in this program. At the end of this program, Jain Shwetambar Terapanth community donated relief material to the police dept. for earthquake victims.

Terapanth community donating relief material for earthquake victims

Director General of Inland Revenue Dept. Mr. Chudamani Shrama, Secretary of Cultural Ministry Mr. Sureshman Shrestha visited H.H. Russian Ambassador Dr. Sergey V Vilegin also visited in afternoon. He was informed about ongoing Preksha Meditation activities in Russia.

Acharya Dr. Chandana of Jain organization “Veeraayatan” also visited H.H today and had short conversation.

20^th May:

Last day of the one month stay In Kathmandu. Morning hour session was organized to bid farewell to H.H for upcoming journey. Representatives of various Terapanth groups expressed their feelings. Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Nepal Mr. Ramkumar Prasad Shah was also present on this occasion. The Chief Justice mentioned in his speech - “due to holy presence of H.H., the impact of earthquake in Kathmandu was limited and people got moral support from H.H.” 

Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Nepal Mr. Ramkumar Prasad Shah with Acharya Mahashraman

Travel management responsibility was transferred from Kathmandu camping arrangement group to Biratnagar four monthly camping arrangement group. Volunteers of Kathmandu together with the Chief Justice Mr. Ramkumar Shah handed the Jain flag to volunteers of Biratnagar together with Minister of Forest and earth preservation Mr. Mahesh Acharya and Senator Mr. Amrit Aryal.

Acharya Mahashraman mentioned in his speech - “Jain monks need to keep moving from one place to other. They can’t have two consecutive four monthly rainy seasons camping at same place. In non-rainy days, they can’t stay at one place for more than a month. We have spent the maximum allowed duration of one month in Kathmandu. Now we have to move on.”

Speaker of Parliament Mr. Subhash Newang visited H.H. today.  Vice-Prime Minister and Home Minister of Nepal Mr. Vamdev Gautam also visited H.H. today and mentioned to H.H. - “all the required administrative support for the upcoming travel of H.H. has been done. You are like god to us. It’s our duty to serve you”. Urban Development Minister Mr. Narayan Khadka visited H.H. in the evening.

21^th May:

Acharya Mahashraman departing from Kathmandu

After completing one month stay in Kathmandu, Acharya Mahashraman departed from Mr. Motilal Duggar residence in the morning today. Governor of National Bank Mr. Chiranjeev Nepal and Information & Broadcasting Minister Mr. Minendra Risaal present on this occasion, held the Jain flag and became a part of Ahimsa Yatra. It was a huge but silent procession starting from Kathmandu.

Though tremors intensity and frequency has significantly come done, still many people are staying in tents. Thousands of people are sleeping outside under tents in night and then go back to home in day time.

Earthquake torn streets of Kathmandu

Perceiving the difficulties of journey, H.H. has prohibited female followers from accompanying Ahimsa Yatra until it reaches Bardibaas. Hundreds of female followers joining the Ahimsa Yatra stayed back when the caravan crossed the Kathmandu border.

On the way, H.H. crossed over the Kathmandu District and entered the Bhaktapur District. After a walk of 11.5 KM, H.H. arrived at the premises of Hukamchand Pharmaceutical Pvt.  Ltd. in Thimi. Hukamchand Duggar family, a native of Bikaner, India, hosted H.H. for a day.

May distinguished personalities of Nepal visited H.H. today. Some of the names to mention are - Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur Mr. Anil Kumar Thakur, Superintendent of Police Mr. Vikash Shrestha, President of Rotary club of Kathmandu Mr. Rajendra Kumar Dhakal, wife of Head of Nepal Army General Gaurav Shamsher Rana, Chief Priest of Pashupatinath Temple, President of National Marwari Parishad Mr. Pawan Mittal and many renowned industrialists of Nepal.