Gandhinagar, 31 March (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the “Emperor Samprati Museum” at Koba in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, marking his second visit to Gujarat within a month. The event drew senior state and national leaders, as well as prominent Jain religious figures, underscoring the site’s cultural and spiritual significance.

Warm welcome in Ahmedabad and arrival at Koba

Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, where he was received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel. After a brief formal welcome, he traveled to Koba, the location of the newly built Emperor Samprati Museum and the Mahavir Jain Adhyana Kendra.

At Koba, the Prime Minister was accorded a traditional reception by state dignitaries and religious leaders before proceeding to the inauguration ceremony. The timing of the visit on Mahavir Jayanti—an important Jain festival—highlighted the government’s focus on preserving Jain heritage and promoting religious tourism in Gujarat.

Inauguration of Emperor Samprati Museum

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi unveiled the Emperor Samprati Museum, dedicated to the historical figure Samprati, a lesser‑known but significant Mauryan emperor believed to have ruled parts of western India and to have supported Jainism. The museum is designed to showcase archaeological artefacts, sculptures, inscriptions and educational exhibits related to the Jain tradition and ancient Indian history.

During the programme, the Prime Minister also received the blessings of Acharya Padmasagar Suri, a revered Jain spiritual leader, symbolising the confluence of governance and faith. The presence of Acharya Padmasagar and other senior monks underscored the religious importance of the occasion and the project’s role in nurturing Jain identity and scholarship.

Dignitaries in attendance

The gathering included Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, and Sudhir Mehta, President of the Mahavir Jain Adhyana Kendra. Delegations from across the country, comprising Jain leaders, scholars and community representatives, also attended the function, reflecting the national resonance of the event.

By inaugurating the Emperor Samprati Museum in Koba, Prime Minister Modi positioned the site as a centre for cultural education and heritage tourism, linking Gujarat’s contemporary development agenda with the preservation of its ancient Jain legacy.

The project is expected to attract both domestic and international visitors interested in Jain philosophy, archaeology and early Indian history.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar