PM Modi to inaugurate Jain saint's centenary birth anniversary celebrations on Saturday

New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual leader Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj's birth anniversary here on Saturday, the Ministry of Culture said.

The celebrations will be hosted at the Vigyan Bhawan.

"The event marks the formal commencement of a year-long national tribute, being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust, Delhi, to honour the 100th birth anniversary of one of India's most revered Jain spiritual leaders, scholars, and social reformers," the ministry said in a statement.

The centenary year will be observed from June 28 to April 22, 2026, with a range of cultural, literary, educational and spiritual initiatives across the country, aimed at "celebrating the life and legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj", it said.

The revered saint was born on April 22, 1925 in Shedbal, Belagavi (now in Karnataka).

"He received his initiation at a young age and went on to become one of the most prolific Jain scholars of modern times, having memorised over 8,000 Jain Agamic verses," the ministry said.

He authored more than 50 works on Jain philosophy and ethics, including Jain Darshan, Anekantvad and Mokshmarg Darshan.

He travelled barefoot across Indian states for decades, strictly adhering to Kayotsarga meditation, brahmacharya and extreme austerity.

"Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Rashtrasant Paramparacharya Shri 108 Pragyasagar ji Muniraj will also grace the occasion," the statement said.

In 1975, during the 2,500th Nirvana Mahotsav of Bhagwan Mahavir, Acharya Vidyanand Ji played a historic role in designing and introducing the official Jain flag and emblem, with agreement from all major Jain sects. The five-colour flag and the hand-inscribed "ahimsa" symbol have since become unifying emblems for the Jain community across traditions, the ministry said.

The Jain saint was instrumental in the restoration and revival of ancient Jain temples across India, including in Delhi, Vaishali, Indore and Shravanabelagola, and was closely associated with the Shravanabelagola Mahamastakabhishek and the 2,600th Janm Kalyanak Mahotsav of Lord Mahavir, it added.

He identified the site of Kundgram (now Basokund) in Bihar as the birthplace of Bhagwan Mahavir, a finding later recognised by the government of India in 1956.

As a founder of multiple institutions and pathshalas, Acharya Ji championed education for young monks and children, especially in Prakrit, Jain philosophy and classical languages.

"He also promoted forgiveness rituals, spiritual egalitarianism, and inter-sect harmony through active dialogue," the statement said.

The inaugural event will be attended by eminent Jain acharyas, spiritual leaders, members of Parliament, constitutional authorities, scholars, youth representatives and other distinguished dignitaries from across the country.

The centenary programme will feature a series of tributes and commemorative events, including a specially-curated exhibition titled "Life and Legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj", highlighting rare archival material, photographs, milestones and philosophical contributions, and the screening of a short documentary chronicling his spiritual journey, societal contributions and impact on national consciousness.

Besides, a commemorative postage stamp and coin will also be released to mark the centenary year.

A biographical volume detailing Acharya Ji's renunciatory path, literary works, institutional efforts and role as a reformer will be launched, and there will be addresses by spiritual leaders, scholars and public figures, reflecting on the relevance of his teachings in today's world, according to the statement.

A keynote address by the prime minister, offering a national tribute to Acharya Ji's legacy of ahimsa, truth and dharma, is part of the celebrations.

The centenary year will include programmes across the country focussing on community engagement, youth participation, inter-faith dialogue, temple outreach and Jain-heritage awareness, ensuring that the timeless message of the revered saint reaches future generations, the ministry said.

"This national observance is not just a celebration, but also a solemn call to reaffirm the timeless values of Indian civilisation -- truth, compassion, discipline, and non-violence -- that Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj so powerfully embodied," the statement said. PTI KR KND RC