Navpad Mandal and Ashtapad Poojan at Neminath temple

Sri Vimal Singh Nowlakha has been sponsoring Navpad Mandal and Ashtapad Poojan at Neminath temple on October 18 and 19 respectively. Azimganj Sri Sangh used to organize Navpad Mandal Poojan on the last day of Navpad Oli at Sri Neminath Temple.

Sri Harakh Chand Roomal of Azimganj has innitiated Navpad Mandal Poojan at this temple many years ago. It has been continuing since then without break. The Sangh organizes this auspicious event on Sharad Poornima, last day of Navpad Oli every year with enthusiasm. It is worth noted that Sri Nowlakha, Grand son (Maternal) of Sri Roomal Ji is sponsoring the event on the auspices of Oli Parne of his wife.

There will be Ashtapad Poojan too on the next day, October 19. This Poojan will be organized after many years at Azimganj. There is great enthusiasm regarding both the Poojas.

People of Azimganj are enthusiastic about Navpad Oli and Mandal Poojan since time immemorial. They organize Mandal Poojan in the best way in India. It is great celebration.

I will be joining these events and perform both the Poojas. Suraj has arranged for every thing and I am grateful to him to provide me such opportunity.

Thanks,
(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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Rai Kumar Singh Bachchhawat expired

Sri Rai Kumar Singh Bachchhawat (Bholu Babu) of Azimganj expired few days back in Kolkata. He was son of late Sri Bahadoor Singh Bachchhawat, President, Azimganj Sri Sangh. He was in old age and was suffering from illness for last few months. He was married to daughter of Sri Mukandi Lal Mookim of Kolkata and had no issue.

He was religious minded and a man of integrity and served Sri Neminath temple and the Shaharwali society with utmost sincerity through out his life.

We feel sorry for his untimely demise and pray to God for heavenly peace.

Thanks,
(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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Famous Shaharwali People- Raja Bijay Sigh Dudhoria

  
Raja BIJOY SINGH Bahadur, Zamindar of Azimganj 1900/1933, born in November 1879, educated privately under the tuition of Babu Abinash Chandra Das, M.A., B.L.; having attained his majority on 22nd December 1900, he took charge of his estate; he was nominated as Commissioner for Azimganj Municipality in 1903 and re-elected in 1909; Vice-President of the All-India Jain Conference in December 1904; he was appointed Honorary Magistrate of the independent Lalbagh Bench in Murshidabad in January 1907.

He was granted the title of Raja in June 1908 in recognition of his public services, liberality, and high personal character; Member of the District Board, Murshidabad; Member of the executive committees of the Imperial League, the King Edward Memorial Fund, and of the British-Indian Association of Calcutta where he was Vice-President in 1915; married in February 1894, the youngest daughter of Rai Dhanpat Singh Bahadur of Baluchar, and had issue, one daughter. He died in 1933.

Kumari (name unknown), married Babu Srichand Nahata of Baluchar. 

Raja Chandra Singh Bahadur (qv)
Raja Padam Singh Bahadur (qv)

Raja Bijay Singh established the Edward Memorial Institute at Jiaganj. The higher secondary school is presently known as Raja Bijoy Singh Vidyamandir. His residential place on the bank of river Bhagirathi Ganga at Azimganj is known as Rajbadi. Several items of his time such as old palenquins and a canon are kept at the Rajbadi.

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Famous Shaharwali people and family: Shrimal family

Famous Shaharwali people and family:

Shrimal family is one of the most renowned family in Azimganj. They belonged to Tank clan (Gotra) but always known as Shrimal. The family built Sri Padmaprabhu temple near Fatak at Azimganj.

Sri Gambhir Singh Shrimal of the family built best looking house of Azimganj known as marble house. This residential house was entirely made of marble.  Sri Mansingh Shrimal of this family was known as great meditator. Jalim Singh Shrimal was renowned jute broker in Kolkata. Hari Singh Shrimal of this family was known as Jain scholar.

Neptune Shrimal is presently working as a professor in an American university. Though I know many of the family members, I do not have proper information about the family. I asked several for information but nothing received so far. I urge to provide the same so that I can include it in my coming book about Shaharwali.

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(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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Murshidabad was merged in Pakistan in 1947

Murshidabad was merged in Pakistan in 1947!! As all of us know that undivided India was divided in to two parts India and Pakistan at the time of independence. Murshidabad had gone in the share of Pakistan at the time of independence. Maldah has also joined Murshidabad at that time.

Pakistani flag was hoisted on August 14, 1947 at Hazarduari Nawab palace, Murshidabad on the independence day of Pakistan. British rulers set India free on the next day August 15. . However, several influential Shaharwali people intervene into the matter and both Murshidabad and Maldah were bartered with Pabna district.

Murshidabad was returned to India on August 17, 1947. Since then both these districts are remained in India. Thanks to those influential Shaharwali people. I am remembering this incident on the day of Pakistan independence.

Thanks,
(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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Shaharwali society in facebook

I have got few beautiful posts in facebook page of Azimganj-Jiaganj and posted these here with references. I hope people will enjoy.

MAZUM KA BARFI ---Narrated by Mr. Bimal Singhji Nowlakha 

MAZUM ka BARFI. Saharwali peapole, decades ago are well versant with it . Mazum ka Barfi made in MARBLE HOUSE ( the house of BHURU BABU) was famous for its excellent taste ,texture and a hilarious joyful mild nasha (intoxicant).Bhuru Babu used to make it at Holi season only. The process of making the Mazum ka Barfi is very gruesome laborious and need special care in processing. Many people till remember it.
Here are revelation of Devi Pandey (Bhuru Babu’s Cook ) about the process and ingredients for making it.
One need to pluck Bhang leafs from its plant in the just evening (Godhuli) of Maghi Purnima complete nakedly , then the leaves are carefully washed in water, to be dried in sunlight then the leaves were to be boiled in a copper pot. first boiled water to be drenched out and again the Bhang leaves were be puted in fresh cow milk and boiled for some time , drench out Bhang leaves the milk be putted on earthen pots for making Curd (Dhai) next step is to get butter from the curd and make Ghee.
The next process is to put Chana Dal in water for five hours , drench it out and make paste either in Silla or in crusher, the paste than be putted on Karhai (pot made from either Mixed Bell Metal or of Brass) the paste need to be fried in very low temperature mixing the ghee earlier received. When it become little brown MAWA (Khoya) need to be added and stair for some time to be properly cooked and sugar need to be added lastly. Bhuru Babu use to add Kesar (Saffron) cardamom crush and rose water. The hole processed lump need to putted on Thali (Plate) to make even and to cut into Barfi.

Dharmesh Boyed

I remember my Nanaji (Sri Bimal Singji Nowlakha) told that there was 2 Bajras, one belong to the Bari Kothi (House of Sri Noba kumar singh ji & Jay Kumar Singhji Dudhoria and the other belongs to Sri Nirmal Kumar singh ji Nowlakha and there was one Banwalia (smaller version of Bajra) belongs to Sri Kishore Singh ji Srimal well known as Bhuru Babu. Bajra is a kind of House Boat (smaller than the Kashmiri house boat and are mainly seen in the Ganges & Yamuna river one can view it at Banaras.)He told that it may possible to find photo of these with Sri Sidharth ji Dudhoria, Sudipji Dudhoria and from Sri Sashi Kantji Nowlakha,Padam Singhji Srimal. In the nineteen fifties Sri Rajendra Singh ji Singhee has brought one small speed house boat.He also remember that once a sea aero plane has landed in the ganga river and news was that Managing Director of Bird & Co has came in that plane to visit their Jute purchasing agency at Cossimbazar. At 1940 to 1955 Steamers used to play frequently in Ganges. The Zamindars used to erect Bamboo fencing all along the River bank from the Kathaltalla to the house of Khem chand ji Choraria at Fhatak at the time of Barsat(rainy season) It was a very charming & eye catching to view the Ajim ganj side of the river banks while coming from North Bor –Nagar side. He also told that in the Ninteen fourties FIRST Division Football Tournament were held at Victoria Ground belongs to Nowlakhas and the Shield Nown as Nowlakha Shield Many famous teams like Mohan Bagan East Bengal played there.ONE Sri Narendra singh ji Boyed (Tuklu Bhai) used to play as Goalkeeper in Mohanbagan.

I request all that if any photography is available, please bring into light.

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(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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अजीमगंज में नवपद मंडल पूजन की परम्परा

अजीमगंज में नवपद मंडल पूजन की परम्परा 

अजीमगंज में श्री नवपद मंडल पूजन की बहुत पुरानी परम्परा रही है। वर्तमान में प्रति वर्ष आश्विन शुक्ल पूर्णिमा अर्थात नवपद ओली के अंतिम दिन यह पूजा श्री नेमिनाथ जी के बड़े मंदिर में पढ़ाई जाती है। नवपद अर्थात सिद्धचक्र। यह पूजा सिद्धचक्र महापूजन से मिलती जुलती है।  लेकिन उससे कुछ भिन्नता लिए हुए है. अजीमगंज में यह पूजा चैत्र मॉस में करवाने का रिवाज़ नहीं है परन्तु इस वर्ष परम पूज्या सुलोचना श्री जी महाराज की उपस्थिति के कारण नवपद मंडल पूजन चैत्र शुक्ल पूर्णिमा को भी करवाया गया था .

नवपद मंडल पूजन की परंपरा संभवतः बीकानेर से यहाँ आई। महा विद्वान यति ज्ञानसार जी द्वारा बीकानेर में नवपद मंडल का उल्लेख मिलता है एवं वे तत्कालीन श्री पूज्य श्री जिन सौभाग्य सूरी के आज्ञानुवर्ती थे.  श्री जिन सौभाग्य सूरी का मुर्शिदाबाद से घनिष्ठ सम्वन्ध रहा है।

मंडल जी की पूजा पहले श्री सम्भवनाथ स्वामी का मंदिर, अजीमगंज, में दुगड़ परिवार द्वारा करवाई जाती थी. श्री हरख चन्द जी रूमाल ने सर्व प्रथम यह पूजा श्री नेमिनाथ जी के मंदिर में प्रारंभ करवार्इ. तबसे यह पूजा यहीं पर होती आ रही है। अधिकांशतः मंडल जी की पूजा संघ द्वारा करवाई जाती है लेकिन कभी कभी यह पूजा व्यक्ति विशेष के द्वारा भी करवाने की परंपरा है। प्रायः कर के ओली जी पारने वाले लोग यह पूजा करवाते हैं .

मंडल जी की पूजा यहाँ बहुत ही धूम धाम व ठाट वाट से होती है जिसमे एक विशाल चोकी पर कपड़ा बिछा कर उसमे भिन्न भिन्न रंगों के चावल से मांडला किया जाता है।  फिर शुभ मुहूर्त में चांदी की बनी हुई चिट्ठी रख कर  अरिहंत आदि नवपद एवं देवी देवताओं का आह्वान किया जाता है। इसके साथ ही शुभ मुहूर्त में ज्वारारोपण आदि किया जाता है।  ये सभी काम पूजन के तीन चार दिन पहले कर लिया जाता है। पूजन के दिन सुबह से ही धूम मची रहती है। नवपद जी की ओली करनेवाले लोग पूजा के लिए तैयार हो जाते हैं। पुरे शहर के सभी क्षेत्रपालों को तेल सिन्दूर चढ़ाया जाता है। बलि बाकूल, भूमि शुद्धि, अंग शुद्धि, आत्मा रक्षा आदि के बाद मूल पूजन का विधान प्रारंभ होता है।

सबसे पहले सिद्धचक्र के ९ पदों में गोला चढ़ाया जाता है। सूखे नारियल के गोले के अन्दर घी, मिश्री, आदि भर कर उस पर नवपद के वर्णों के अनुसार रंग किया जाता है। श्वेत एवं पीले वर्ण के लिए चांदी एवं सोने का वर्क चढ़ाया जाता है जबकि लाल हरे एवं नीले में रंगों का प्रयोग होता है। इन सुसज्जित गोलों को चांदी के सिंहासन पर विराजमान कर उसमे वर्णानुसार रत्नों की पोटली रखी जाती है। फिर इन ९ गोलों को क्रम से मंत्रोच्चार एवं प्रदक्षीना पूर्वक मंडल पर चढ़ाया जाता है। शहरवाली समाज में नवपद मंडल पूजन विशेष कर गोला चढाने का बहुत अधिक महत्व रहा हुआ है।  गोला चढ़ने के बाद अन्य वलयों की पूजा प्रारंभ होती है। यह पूजा ५-६ घंटों के लम्बे समय में पूरी होती है। इस पूजन में बहुत बड़ी मात्र में मिष्टान्न एवं फल चढ़ाया जाता है।  ओली करने वाले पूजा सम्पूर्ण होने के बाद ही आयम्बिल करते हैं एवं आयम्बिल करने का समय साम तक ही मिल पाता है। इस दिन बहुत लोग ९ दाने का ही आयम्बिल करते हैं।

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(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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अजीमगंज की जैन पाठशाला

अजीमगंज की जैन पाठशाला का नाम पवन कुमारी ज्ञान मंदिर था। श्री परिचंद जी बोथरा परिवार ने अपनी माँ एवं प्रसन्न चंद जी बोथरा की धर्मं पत्नी के नाम से नाम से इस पाठशाला की स्थापना की गई थी।

इस पाठशाला में कक्षा शिशु से ५ वीं तक हिंदी, गणित एवं धर्म की पढाई होती थी। प्रख्यात विद्वान महोपाध्याय श्री हेमचंद जी यति के शिष्य करमचंद जी एवं प्रशिष्य श्री कीर्ति चंद जी इस जैन पाठशाला में धार्मिक अध्ययन करवाते थे. दोनों ही संस्कृत के अधिकृत विद्वान् थे एवं शुद्ध उच्चारण पर बड़ा जोर देते थे। मुख्य रूप से यहाँ सामायिक, चैत्यवंदन एवं बाद में प्रतिक्रमण सिखाया जाता था। विशिस्ट विद्यार्थियों को भक्तामर, कल्याण मंदिर आदि स्तोत्र भी सिखाया जाता था.

परीक्षा लेने के लिए शहरवाली समाज के ही धार्मिक विद्वानों को बुलाया जाता था। यति जी स्वयं परीक्षा नहीं लेते थे जिससे निष्पक्षता बनी रहे. प्रायः मेरे परिवार के लोग ही परीक्षक के रूप में उपस्थित रहते थे। स्वनाम धन्य विद्वान् श्री रणजीत सिंह जी दुधोडिया लम्बे समय तक इसकी व्यवस्था सँभालते रहे।

अजीमगंज में रहने वाले लगभग सभी लोग इस पाठशाला में पढ़ते थे परन्तु सत्तर के दशक से इसमें उपस्थिति बेहद कम होने लगी थी। धार्मिक शिक्षण के प्रति लोगों का रूझान कम होने लगा था एवं विद्यालयीन शिक्षा की ओर झुकाव बढ़ रहा था। उस समय नव स्थापित महावीर मंडल ने पाठशाला को पुनरुज्जीवित करने का सार्थक प्रयास किया एवं कुछ वर्षों के लिए छात्र संख्या भी बढ़ी थी। परन्तु यह प्रयास भी लम्बे समय तक पाठशाला को जीवित नहीं रख सका एवं अंततः यह बंद हो गया।

Thanks,
(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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Few important points for Shaharwali community book

There are few important points for Shaharwali community book, I want to put here. I am approaching to finish my writing and still need some important information. I am mentioning here those points and looking for input.

I heard that there were eight renowned politicians/ statesmen who represented in state or national assembly.  I have got five names so far e.g. Surpat Singh Dugar, Rajendra Singh Singhi, Rajpat Singh Dugar, Nabo Kumar Singh Dudhoria and  Bijay Singh Nahar. Pl info me if you know about any one else.

I read somewhere (Cannot remember where) that the river Bhagirathi was flowing like horse nail (Ashwakshurakriti) and the sand between two parts of river was called Baluchar. I urge you to confirm the same.

It is not clear to me whether Gaysabad and Dasturhat is the same place or different. I also want information about Shrimal family, their business, about Mansingh and Jalimsingh Shrimal. I need info about who established Padmaprabhu temple.

Was there any gems and Jewelery dealer in Shaharwali community in old time? Do any one know something about P C Nahata family who had their office in Paris, France?

Was their any relation with Asiatic society?

I heard about a person from Harakchand Golechha family who went to Mahavideha Kshetra with the help of Shashan Devi. He asked few questions to Seemandhar Swami and got answers. Can any one throw light on this matter?

Your answers will greatly help us in writing the book. We will be grateful to any information provider. I will gladly mention his or her name in this blog with the information. You can also help by supplying old images, news, documents and records etc.

Thanks,
(Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry)

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Historical findings about Shaharwali society

Historical findings about Shaharwali society

We have found several pieces of historical evidence about the Shaharwali community while researching for our new publication. Dr. Shiv Prasad, a Jain historian has become instrumental in finding this information. 

1. Learned Jain Yati Sri Gyansar (Khartar Gachh) wrote a travel description about Bengal in the 19th century (1816 AD). There is a small description of Murshidabad along with the Jain society residing here.

2. We found some details about Navpad Mandal in Bikaner while studying the biography of Yati Sri Gyansar by the famous historian Sri Agarchand Nahata. We can assume that Navpad Mandal Poojan was brought to Azimganj from Bikaner. All of us know that the Shaharwali community is closely connected with Sri Poojya of Bikaner for all religious issues.

3. We found a letter written by Sri Poojya Sri Saubhagya Suri in the 1840s. He wrote the letter from Azimganj to Bikaner Bada Upashray. I have heard from the elders that the Shaharwali community supported Sri Saubhagya Suri in a dispute with Mahendra Sagar Suri. Finally, with the support of Shaharwali Jain Sri Saubhagya Suri could inherit the seat of Sri Poojya at Bada Upasra, Bikaner. I also heard that a close relationship with Sri Poojya started during his time. A letter written from Azimganj, which we found recently is clear evidence of the Chaturmas of Sri Poojya Sri Saubhagya Suri at Azimganj.

4. Sri Agarchand Nahata had also written about a valuable gift of Jagat Seth to a Paychann Gachh yati of Bikaner. The gifted gemstone was so valuable that the Maharaja of Bikaner wanted to have it forcefully. Intervene of Yati Gyansar restricted him from doing so and the gift remained with the Yati.

5. We are now studying "History of Murshidabad", published in the early 20th century. This book has descriptions of the Nahar, Dudhoria, and Jagat Seth families of the Shaharwali community. Sri Prashant and Pradip Dudhoria of the famous Rai Budh Singh Dudhoria family became instrumental in getting this.

I urge everyone especially Shaharwalis to supply historical information to enrich the book. 

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