Jain Society of Capital District New York

26/04/2026

26/01/2023

Rasik Chudgar, 81 of Saint Johns, FL and formerly of Latham, NY passed away on January 24, 2023 after having lived a full and joyous life. He had undergone cardiac bypass surgery and passed away after surgery while recovering in the ICU.

He was born in Baroda, Gujarat, India and studied Organic Chemistry in India earning a PhD in Organic Chemistry and Azo Dyes. He came to the United States in 1971 shortly after his marriage and began a life for the next 51 years in this country. He lived in New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, before moving to Latham, NY for over 30 years before finally living, the last 12 years in Florida. He spent the majority of his career at BASF in Rennsselaer, NY retiring in 1999. He has written scholarly articles and chapters in chemistry textbooks during his career.

He was pre-deceased by his wife of 25 years, Veena (Shah) Chudgar, his parents and by two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by a son, Siren Chudgar, daughter Rachana (Chudgar) Zaveri, daughter-in-law Jennifer (Moran) Chudgar and son-in-law Minesh Zaveri. He also is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Vishay Chudgar, Riya Zaveri, Shaan Chudgar, Karina Zaveri and Dilan Zaveri. He is also loved by many nieces, nephews and extended family throughout the world in many different countries including a large family in India.

He was very devoted to his faith of Jainism and its’ teachings. He spent many years leading a small Jain group contingent in the Albany, NY area and then doing the same in his new home of Jacksonville, FL. He was active in the Jacksonville Jain Association and Gujarati Samaj Seniors Group of Jacksonville.

People who knew him best will say he was a man of very few words, but the words he spoke were always worth listening to. May he rest in peace! Om Shanti Om.

Funeral Services and Viewing will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2023 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home at 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223. (904) 288-0025.

14/12/2021

Maun Ekadashi
The festival of Maun Ekadashi (also known as Maun Agyaras) is an auspicious Jain festival that falls on the 11th day of the month Magshar (Magshar Sud 11).
According to the English calendar, this year it falls on the 14th December 2021.
A person who worships this day of Ekadashi with all the rites and rituals every year for a period of 11 years and 11 months is said to achieve salvation.
Significance of Maun Ekadashi :
On this day of Ekadashi -
1) Shri Aranath (18th Tirthankar of the Jains) renounced the world and became a monk.
2) Shri Mallinath (19th Tirthankar of the Jains) was born, renounced the world and attained Kevalgyan (Liberation).
3) Shri Neminath (22nd Tirthankar of the Jains) attained Kevalgyan.
Thus, 5 Kalyanaks of the three Tirthankars are celebrated on this day. There are also Chauvishis in other kshetras, namely Bharatkshetra and Airavatkshetra which also had 5 Kalyanaks. So, 5 kalyanaks in 5 Bharatkshetras comes up to 25 Kalyanaks (5 X 5) and 25 Kaylanaks in the 5 Airavtkshetras. Hence, 50 Kalyanaks in all the kshetras for the past, present and future chauvishis gives us 150 Kalyanaks.
By fasting for one day,we get benefit of 150 fasts
On this day the following rites are done :
- A fast is observed in Paushadha with keeping silence
- Kayotsarga of 12 Logassa
- 12 Khamasanas
- 12 Swastiks and 20 Navakarvalis of the J*p Pad
'Aum Rhim Shrim Mallinath Sarvagnaya Namh'. The Birth, Diksha and Omniscience Kalyanakas of Shri Mallinath, the Diksha Kalyanaka of Shri Aranath and the Omniscience Kalyanaka of Shri Naminath had happened, So total five Kalyanakas are celebrated on this day.
Shri Arnath-Dixa
Shri Malli Nath-Janma/Dixa/Keval Gyan
Shri Nami Nath-Keval Gyan
5 Kalyank No 1 Day
5 Bharat kshetra Na 75
5 Airavat kshetra Na 75
That way 150 Kalyank at 1 Day
Whatever dharmik kriya you do, you get results of 150times
Even by atleast doing 1 Navkarsi/ Chovihar, 15000 years of Narak Years are reduced.
जय श्री आदिनाथ...🙏🏻
जय श्री शत्रुजंय...

04/11/2021

Bhagwan Shree Mahaveer Nirvaan Kalyanak Pooja & Bhakti!