Thoughts of Lord Rishabhdev represent India’s ancient and great culture – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

‘Rishabhayan-2’ Global Cultural and Vedic Knowledge Festival and ‘Vrishabh Kala’ Exhibition inaugurated by the Chief Minister

Mumbai, Dec 2025 : Lord Rishabhdev showed the path of life based on Aasi, Masi and Krishi — a philosophy that enriched literature, art, culture and civilisation through important thoughts on knowledge, meditation, security and agriculture. These thoughts and teachings aim at the welfare of the world and must be passed on to future generations. Lord Rishabhdev’s ideas are a symbol of India’s ancient and great culture, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He was speaking at the three-day ‘Rishabhayan-2’ Global Cultural and Vedic Knowledge Festival in Borivali. Present on the occasion were State Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLAs Sanjay Upadhyay and Manisha Chaudhary, former MP Gopal Shetty, L.P. Singh, Lalit Gandhi, as well as Jain monks and religious leaders from Sikh, Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that Lord Rishabhdev is the first Tirthankar, the first emperor and a symbol of Indian culture and civilisation. At a time when the world did not even know the concept of civilisation, India was fully developed culturally. Lord Rishabhdev made a significant contribution to the country’s culture. He gave humanity the path of life, literature, art, culture, spirituality, knowledge, agriculture, security, love, happiness and the concept of eternity. He was not the founder of a single religion, but the architect of human civilisation.

The Chief Minister further said that Lord Rishabhdev described 72 arts for men and 64 arts for women, which included architecture, metallurgy and production. The initiative aims to revive and preserve these diverse cultural traditions. This work is unique and extremely valuable for the country, culture, pride and self-respect, he added.

Fadnavis noted that representatives of Jain, Buddhist, Sanatan and Sikh traditions have gathered on one platform to honour the thoughts of Lord Rishabhdev. The presence of saints, sages, monks, nuns and bhikkhus together is a significant step toward carrying India’s knowledge systems to future generations.

He said Jain saints have spread messages of meditation, spiritual practice and public welfare, which continue to inspire humanity.

A dedicated global space for Lord Rishabhdev’s teachings

Chief Minister Fadnavis announced that discussions would be held to create a world-class, dedicated centre for Lord Rishabhdev. The government will provide space to showcase his teachings, art and cultural values globally. Jain monks had requested space for this purpose.

The programme began with an introduction by Jain monk Shrimad Vijay Yashovarmasuriswarji Maharaj.

‘Vrishabh Kala’ exhibition inaugurated

The Chief Minister inaugurated the ‘Vrishabh Kala’ gallery and exhibition, highlighting the life and contributions of King Rishabh, a pioneer of Indian culture.

On the occasion of the international ‘Rishabhayan-2’ conference, 1,111 research-based texts were released, with the total number expected to reach 1,400. A booklet on Lord Rishabh’s life will also be distributed to one lakh citizens over the next few days, launched by the Chief Minister.