Establishing unity with one’s eternal pure Soul and recognizing it as the ‘Self,’ meaning – believing “I am like Jinendra Bhagwan,” is known as Real Pratishtha or Nischay Pratishtha. On the other hand, instilling the supreme qualities of Lord Jina in an idol made of stone or metal is known as Conventional or Vyavahar Pratishtha.

Just as nutritious food is essential in keeping the body healthy, and thoughts of supreme truth are essential in keeping the soul healthy, similarly, the Panchakalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav is essential to connect household life with the path to liberation (moksha). In this present difficult era, apart from the passionless deities, scriptures, and detached gurus, there is no other refuge. Even for devoted practitioners trying to remain steadfast on the path of detachment, it is essential to visit Jain temples and worship Jain idols. Jin Panchakalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav is necessary for this reason.

The five significant events in the lives of Tirthankar Paramatmas, who have walked the path of self-realisation and become free from the cycle of birth and death, whilst also guiding us on the path of self-realisation, are called Panchakalyanak. These five Kalyanaks or events are conception, birth, renunciation, omniscience, and liberation. These events are also observed in the lives of ordinary Kevalis (omniscient beings), but in the lives of Tirthankar Paramatmas, these events become inspiring for other souls as they signify right effort, knowledge, and detachment. Therefore, they are called Kalyanak.

During the Panchakalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav, the five auspicious events are ritually invoked upon the idol of Shri Jinendra Bhagwan through mantra recitations, thereby consecrating the idol as an Arihant or Siddha Bhagwan. Over the course of six days, the ceremonies include the preceding rituals of Conception Event (Garbh Kalyanak), followed by the Conception Event (Garbh Kalyanak), Birth Event (Janma Kalyanak), Renunciation Event (Tapa Kalyanak or Diksha Kalyanak), Omniscience Event (Keval Gyaan Kalyanak), and Liberation Event (Moksh Kalyanak). Through these auspicious ceremonies, the important real-life events of Tirthankar Bhagwan’s final birth are symbolically imprinted upon the idol.

This process includes various rituals, from the Shanti Puja/Jaap to the Shanti Yagna, along with numerous mantra recitations and other ceremonies. The main rituals involved in Pratishtha of Jina Idol are the Ankanyasa Vidhi, Tilakdaan Vidhi, Adhivasna Vidhi, Swastyayan Vidhi, Shri Mukhodhgathan Vidhi, Netronmeelan Vidhi, Pran Pratishtha Vidhi, the Surimantra Vidhi amongst other key rituals.

Various rituals performed during the Panchakalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav are described in numerous texts. However, the “Pratishtha Paath” written by Acharya Jayasen also known as Vasubindu Acharya is considered the oldest and most authoritative text on Pratishtha rituals. Based on this text, all rituals in the Panchakalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav were performed in Suvarnapuri.

For souls detached from worldly life, the body, and pleasures, Shri Jinbimb Panchakalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsav becomes a cause for immense accumulation of merit karmas and an increase in fame. Additionally, for those who come to worship the consecrated Jinendra Bhagwan, merely observing the pure and supremely serene posture of the Jinbimb results in the destruction of all obstacles and freedom from passions and desires. This ceremony and celebration ensure the protection of the Vitrag path of Jinendra Bhagwan and serves as an instrumental cause for Right Belief (Samyak Darshan) for eternity.