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AHIMSA TIMES - DECEMBER 2007 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
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festival would provide a rare opportunity to have darshan and preachings of great religious dignitaries, lectures of experts in Jainism and cultural activities would also be organized. The Panch Kalyanak festival will be from 20th to 27th January and Mahamastkabhisheka on 27th, 29th, 31st January and 2nd & 4th February. In between the gaps other religious activities will be organized. It has been decided by the Festival Committee that, the money collected from various religious rites in the festival, will be spent for building a Guest house with modern amenities, education, literature and social welfare. Web Site- www.bawangaja.com
Chief programme co-ordinator is Mr. A. K. Jain Phone: 98-100-11697 for details. (Indore Address - 4/2, South Tukoganj, Indore, M. P. Telephone 0731-2510141).
NEW JAIN TEMPLE TO COME UP AT KARWAN HYDERABAD: Rajasthan Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria will inaugurate a new Lord Shantinath Jain temple at Karwan on 2nd December. Addressing a press conference Surender Luniya said the construction work would complete within a few days and installation of the deity and other religious ceremonies would commence from December 2nd. The temple is being constructed in an area spanning over 9 acres adjacent to the decades old Dadiwadi temple in Tarlagadda with an investment of over Rs.70 lakh.
SONAGIRI TEERTH LIKELY TO ANOTHER GIRNAR Sonagiri is on of the oldest and highly sacred teerth of Digamber Jain Samaj. It is extremely popular for its attractive natural surroundings and convenient location. Due to its popularity and availability of large financial corpus placement in management committees is fiercely fought for several years. In 1989 as per High Court order a new committee was given managerial responsibilities. To consolidate its control over temple affairs new committee adopted new constitution and reduced the membership from about 8000 to just few. Now just a few persons control the entire teerth. Formal election do
take place but but there is no effective participation of community. Nomination of some of the committees members is also being litigated in M.P. High Court and Registrar of Trust.
There have been frequent complaints of about the maintenance and services to pilgrims. But office bearer have no interest in the physical development of temple village and without this the entire place has become disorganized & chaotic. Earlier "Datia State" during British rule had given full rights to temple committee to manage the entire area but conflicting Jain group surrendered their rights to M.P. government and have signed the lease documents. This also are resulted into new conflict with Area Panchayat Committee of the M. P. Government and temple managing committee. Taking advantage some other religious groups have started damaging temple complex. Main gate of the temple has been broken. Some groups climbed to temple with shoes on. Feared office bearer of the temple remained blank spectators with no reaction.
Noting weakness of office bearer and their in action one Mrs. Sukha Bai, member of district Panchayat has filed a writ in M.P. High Court challenging the sole rights of Jain on the Sonagir Hills. To avoid trouble temple committee has accepted almost all the demands of Panchayat and the signed the agreement without any discussion with general body. As the population of jain families living in the entire area is negligible it is feared that this place will become another Girnar.Central leadership of Digamber Jain Samaj should understand the seriousness of the local issues and take appropriate legal measures including filing of review petitions with higher courts. The development of place is also important and office bearers should go for planned development and beautification of entire area as required finances are available with the temple. Courtesy Shri Sunil Jain (Gaushala Wale ) Sadhna Samachar.
PHOENIX JAIN COMMUNITY IN US BREAKS GROUND ON SPIRITUAL CENTER The first slab of marble has been laid in what the Valley's Jain community believes can become America's grandest Jain temple when it is dedicated in December 2008, with some 3,000 Jains from all over the world expected. Through a majestic arch of pink sandstone, followers will pass into a spacious temple with floors of white marble featuring statues of the 24 lords or tirthankars, surrounded by idols. The south Phoenix site will become the center for area Jain prayer, meditation and other activities. Capping three days of festive celebrations on Sunday members of the approximately 150 Jain families in the Valley dressed in their finest and most brilliant and colorful
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