Culture teaches welfare of society, says Amit Shah

Stating that India was the only country in the world with a Bhusanskruti (geoculture), BJP president Amit Shah said that this culture bows before knowledgeable pandits and not before aggressors.

He was speaking during the installation ceremony of the 108-foot idol of Bhagwan Rishabhdev at Mangi Tungi in Baglan tehsil of Nashik district on Saturday. Minister Girish Mahajan, Raosaheb Danve, MPs Dr Subhash Bhamre and Harishchandra Chavan, MLAs Seema Hire, Deepaka Chavan, Rajendra Patni, Suresh Jain and others were present at the programme.

Reiterating that India was the only country with a geoculture, Mr Shah called upon all to help preserve this culture. “Many thoughts and opinions became absolute but Indian culture continued to guide the world. Our culture teaches welfare of society while our religions attracted the world,” he said.

The Pran Pratistha (formal installation of the deity) programme of the 108-foot-high Bhagwan Rishabhdev began on Thursday. This statue, carved from a single piece of rock, was constructed at the foothills of Mangi Tungi mountain in Baglan tehsil of Nashik, a revered centre of the Digambar Jain community.

The Dhajarohan (flag hoisting) programme was conducted Thursday at the hands of revered Jain munis and in the presence of Vidhan Sabha Speaker Haribhau Bagde.

Mangi Tungi, which is 4,366 feet above sea level, has several caves that are revered. The government has sanctioned Rs 58 crore for the centre and also developed roads and other infrastructure around the area.

The Mangi Tungi committee had made excellent arrangements to adjust over 25 lakh expected devotees. The dining tent alone can seat over 1.5 lakh devotees, sources said.