Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha

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Panch-kalyanak Pratishtha (installation with five auspicious events) is a traditional Jain ceremony that consecrates one or more Jain Tirthankara pratimas.

The five kalyanakas are the five major events associated with a tirthankara.

  1. Garbh (conception)
  2. Janma (birth)
  3. Tapa (austerities)
  4. Gyan (omniscience)
  5. Moksha (liberation)

After the pratishtha the statue represents the Tirthankara, and becomes a worshippable object.

A pratishtha must be authorised by an acknowledge leader of the sangha, an Acharya or a Bhattaraka, or a representative (pratishthacharya), who can recite the sacred suri-mantra to mark the final step in the installation ceremony. The Shvetambara sect requires a ceremony called anjana-shalaka. Once an idol is fully installed, it must be worshipped daily.

The Bhattaraka Devendrakeerti of Humbaj is the only Bhattaraka who has participated in the installations in overseas countries including USA, Canada and Australia.

In Bundelkhand region, a panch-kalyanak pratishtha is accompanied by e gaj rath (chariot drawan by elephants) procession.

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