HereNow4U - Living Jainism Tour 2006 - 05.09 Arrival in Tamkor

24th November 2006, 15:00 – 15:45

In Tamkor, our adorable host was Shri Ratan Lalji Nahata, in worldly relations, the father of Samani Pratibha Pragyaji. When he heard that we planned our ‘Living Jainism Tour 2006’, he submitted the invitation to stay with his family in Tamkor, when H.H. Acharya Mahaprajnaji would visit his birthplace. He and his wife welcomed us like family members.

Our time of arrival was not known to Shri Ratan Lalji, and when we arrived at his house, he had gone out for some preparations of the great next day to come, when Acharyashree would reach his birthplace. Smt. Nahataji and one of their daughters-in-law were present. Smt. Nahataji immediately sent to inform him on our arrival.

Karuna had met Shri Ratan Lalji in summer 2005 in London, when Samani Pratibha Pragyaji had invited her to stay at JVB London during Pratishta Mahotsav & to celebrate Paryushan there. The London visit was his first trip out of India, and most of all, his first trip without spiritual or business purposes; he simply wanted to know where Samani Pratibha Pragyaji was in duty. Smt. Nahataji unfortunately had to cancel her company to him because of fragile health on advice of her doctor. Shri Ratan Lalji was used to a different daily routine, but never showed any difficulty to adjust. Karuna was very touched when she noticed that he titled Samani Pratibha Pragyaji ‘Maharaj’ and without hesitation accepted all instructions, she gave to him.

Shri Ratan Lalji and Karuna several times visited the Jain temple at Potters Bar together, and when it was clear that no further obligations occupied her, Karuna accompanied Shri Ratan Lalji for visits and sight seeing. Karuna respects him highly since then, because of the spirituality she saw him integrate into his daily routine, his openness, respect, and tolerance towards all people and circumstances he met.

While we waited for his arrival, we admired the beautiful marble handicraft in his house, showing variations we had not seen before, testifying the owner’s deep-rooted religiosity and his affectionate support of Rajasthani artwork tradition, visible all over his house.

Shri Ratan Lalji after a short while came to welcome us, and his daughter-in-law took our photo. He enjoyed the album with photos from his London visit, we handed over to him, taken then by Karuna. After tea and snacks he invited us to make a relaxed visit to Acharyashree's birthplace, library and meditation hall.