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TWENTY-FOUR TIRTHANKARS PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV IN DETROIT
In the history of Jain Society of Greater Detroit, Sunday, Murti Pratishtha and Murti Carving, leaving many families in August 18, 2002 will be written as a glorious day for the joyous waiting. Things moved at a pace beyond anybody's imagination. celebration of the twenty-four Tirthankars Pratishtha in the Members donated generously and participated in the event wholeTemple. This is a dream come true for members of the society heartedly-making us all believe that unseen forces were behind who had been waiting for Pratishtha of Twenty-four Tirthankars the course of the whole event. Over 200 families participated in since the first Partishtha in 1998. Now, truly the Temple in De- religious activities during Pratishtha Mahotsav and members and
well wishers of the Society committed over $ 2 million in gheebolis, donations and pledges to help make the society debt free in a very near future.
Pratishtha Core Committee along with over 20 other subcommittees with many volunteers planned and executed a wide variety of tasks. All volunteers made sure that everyone attending the ceremony were able to enjoy all programs on time and safely.
The Jain Society of Greater Detroit would like to thank the City of Farmington Hills for permitting to hold the Celebrations, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago for forgiving $32,000 of interest on a long term loan, JAINA Organization & other Jain
societies for helping in many ways and Swaminarayan Satsang troit is complete with the Pratishtha of all thirty-five murtis in
Mandal of BAPS - for their help in food preparation during the cluding the twenty-four Tirthankars in bhumati.
The ten-day celebration started with Murti Pravesh on August 10 followed by various pujans, such as Uvasaggaharam and Guru Gautamswami pujan, Saraswatidevi and Navkarmantra Aradhnas and a cultural program and Shalibhadra Drama by adults and youth. Eighteen Abhishek and Ashta Prakari Puja followed for 24 Trithankars. On August 18th, the day began with a Pratishtha procession and Pratishtha Mahotsav followed by Laghu Shanti Pujan. The entire Pratishtha Ceremony was concluded on August 19th with a Bhumati Pradakshina. Over 1500 people attended the Pratishtha celebration blessed with perfect weather. Gurudev Chitrabhanu, Muni Shri Jinchandravijayaji, Samanijis Mudit Pragyaji and Mangal Pragyaji from Florida, Scholar Tarlaben Doshi, Pramodaben Chitrabhanu, Congessman Joseph Knollenberg, Farmington Hills city officials, JAINA President Bipinbhai Parikh and Past president Tansukh Salgia, Chicago Jain Society president Niranjanbhai Shah, and extended Jain families from other centers were present for the celebration of this joyous ten day event. The society would also like to thank all the families and auspicious event.
for donating generously and participating wholeheartedly in the Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and his group including his son celebrations to make it a great success. Kayvan performed all pratishtha vidhis, pujas and bhavnas. Their
In conclusion, the entire ceremony was economically well enthusiastic singing, dancing and music inspired Mr. planned, showed wonderful participation by young people in reliGunavantbhai Parekh of New Jersey to take the gheeboli for the gious activities along with donation of time and financial comPratishtha of Shri Mahavirswami Bhagwan and other members of mitment and above all a great unity was displayed amongst Jains the society for signing up the remaining open slots for the and non Jains around North America. We thank everyone for Pratishtha. On July 28th, before the Pratishtha warm-up program, making the Pratishtha celebration successful and memorable one! thirty fixed commitment slots were open for the Pratishtha and
--Niranjan (Niran) Shah, Detroit ,IL on August 13th - in just fifteen days all slots were filled for both
--Dilip V. Shah, Philadelphia, PA
4/JAIN DIGEST FALL 2002 Jain Education international 2010 02
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