Mahavir Jain Vidyalay Shatabdi Mahotsav Granth Part 02

SR No.: 012079
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 360
Language: Gujarati, Hindi, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth
File Size: 8 MB

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Dilip Shah
Dr. Natubhai Shah - The Jain Network has purchased a spacious building near Colindale tube station, outskirts of London. The mission of the Jain Network is to seek to improve spiritual and physical quality of life and the wider community and promote Jainism in the western world. The present property, more than 12,000 sq. feet built up area, has been refurbished to make it habitable and has beautifully carved wooden temple with murtis of Bhagwan Parshvanath, Munisuvarat Swami and also Padmavati Mata, Community Hall, Seminar Room, Offices and ancillary facilities. The Network plans, and the local authorities have approved the plans to demolish it in near future for a Jain Centre on ground + 2 floors; the ground and first floor for the community activities for Jains and wider public second floor as a place of worship for all the Jains and 3 flats for visiting scholars.
Mahavir Foundation - Established in 1987 under the leadership of Chief Bhandari and Hasmukhbhai Gardi, Mahavir Foundation has rebuilt an old Ghar-Derasar with a prestigious Pratistha Mahotsav in April of 2012 in Kenton, Harrow area that is very popular.The Mul-nayak is Mahavir Swami. There is special area for the devotees of Shrimad Rajchandra.
There are other Temples in UK such as Jain Samaj Temple in Manchester with a large building for social and cultural needs, Kailash-giri Jain Temple - in Hounslow, Established by Jain Mahila Sant Kumari Satyawatiji, Sanatan Temple - Leeds some 300 miles from London within a Hindu temple a special small 'Jain Temple' has been created. First Digamber Temple outside India was inaugurated in London under the guidance of Shri Kanji Swami.
Belgium : There are about 350 Jain families living in Antwerp. All Jains in Antwerp have come directly from Gujarat to Antwerp for diamond trade. Most of them came to Antwerp at the end of the 1970s or in the early 1980s. Most of them are between 40 and 60 years old. In the meantime, many of them got the Belgian nationality or an unlimited residence permit. In the early days, the migrants settled close to the diamond centers. After some time, the Indian migrants bought land in the district of Wilrijk, where they proceeded to build their villas. Today many Jain families also live in Edegem and Schoten, districts. In 1992, the Jains decided to build a Temple on the 4,000m2 plot of land they had bought from a Belgium company years ago. They established Jain Cultural Center Antwerp, (J.C.C.A.) and built a Shankheshvar Parshvanath Mandir.
Africa : Mostly Jains from Kutch in particular and rest of Gujarat, first arrived in Zanzibar which was the most advanced country in East Africa and they were encouraged by then Sultan Seyyid Bargash to bring their families with them. He promised them all Facilities such as water and electricity. These Jain arrived in Dhows (Small Boats) many of them lost lives in the