Ahimsa Times 2008 10 SrNo 100

Author(s): Ahimsa Times
Publisher: Ahimsa Times

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AHIMSA TIMES - OCTOBER 2008 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
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Mahotsav came to a conclusion on the following morning, Oct. 6 when the door to the temple was officially opened to the devotees of Bhagwan Mahavir.
TWO PILGRIMS DIED ON THE TOP OF PARASNATH AFTER SUFFERING CARDIAC ARREST Sammet Shikarji: Two pilgrims died of heart attack after reaching the top of the Parasnath hills in Jharkhand's Giridih district. The pilgrims were identified as Vikas Jain of Uttarakhand and Kamla Jain of Rajasthan's Alwar region. The duo complained of dizziness soon after reaching the Parasnath temple. They were admitted to health care unit where one of them died soon after, while another died in the afternoon. Ahimsa Foundation requests all Jain Institutions / Dharmshala's / Temples managements engaged in the service to pilgrims at Sammet Shikarji, to come together and create emergency medical facilities in the hill area. We offer our condolences at the sad demise of two pilgrims due to inadequate medical facilities in the hill area.
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NEW JAIN SHWETAMBAR TEMPLE ESTABLISHED NEAR JODHPUR This new temple, dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Parshwanath ji, was established in February, 2006 with the blessings, encouragement and direction of Acharya Shrimad Dharm Dhurandhar Surishwar ji maharaj, belonging to Shwetambar Murti-pujak sect. It is located at new Ostara village in Bhopalgarh tehsil, about 75 km. from Jodhpur town in Rajasthan. This temple has been built very close to an old and abandoned temple of Bhagwan Parshwanath , which is supposed to be 1200 to 1500 years old. A temple of Batuk Bhairav Dev ji is also located in the same premises in which devotees from all communities come for prayers. Devotees of Jain religion come to the temple for darshan and prayers from far and near. Large groups of people constituting 'sangha' have also been visiting the temple. All essential facilities, like a well-furnished Dharm-shala, Bhojan shala, Upasra for saints and sadhwi, Jain research centre, guest house, library, conference hall and houses for temple staff are available,
900-YEAR-OLD JAIN IDOLS UNEARTHED Jains in Khambhat taluka of Anand were overjoyed when around 65 idols temple were unearthed at a construction site in the town. Inscriptions on them suggested that they were over 900 years old. Senior community members believed excavation might uncover a Jain temple belonging to Tirthtankar Neminath Swami. Officials have taken the idols in custody and are awaiting a team of archaeologists. "The structures include that of temple 'Parikar' and 'Gaadi'. The year inscribed on the plaques range from 1001 to 1130 of the Hindu calendar. This puts the structures at over 900 years old. Also, the idol of Ambica Devi is usually found in temples of Neminatha Swami. Hence, further digging can lead to more such revelations," says Satish Choksi, member of Swetambar Murti Pujak Sangh. "Khambhat is known for such finds. Three years ago, we had found two such idols. A major site was unearthed 30 years ago when government officials were digging a road for gutter line in the Manek Chowk area," he added. Parikar is a decorative motif found near places of Worship in Jain temples. Most of the images are of Jain deities like Yaksh and Yakshini, Khambhat has 72 Jain temples and excavation at the site can yield more idols.
NEW DIGAMBAR JAIN TEMPLE AT LUDHIANA, PUNJAB Ludhiana, on the occasion of Mahathma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2nd a new Digambar Jain Mandir was inaugurated. This is the first Digambar Jain Temple of Ludhiana which has been constructed on 1,000 square yards plot at Dugri, Dhandra Road. A five-feet tall white marble statue of Lord Mahavira has been installed in the temple. The "Pran-Pratishthha" ceremony will be performed from November 28 to December 4 by Digambar Jain saints. According to temple functionaries, various activities will be undertaken in order to inculcate values and sensitize the humankind towards the salient message of Lord Mahavira,
KOLKATTA'S FIRST JAIN TEMPLE UNDERGOES A MAKEOVER Tucked away in one of the busy streets of Bara Bazaar, Shree Shantinath Jain Temple has long drawn many devouts to its place. Built 200 years ago, it was the first temple in the city where Jains could offer prayers, thanks to a wealthy Jain businessman's decision to give away most of his savings for its construction. Now, after 200 years, the temple is set for a makeover. The temple on which the renovation work is already on for the past one-and-a-half years will now sport the architectural look of the famous Dilwara Jain Temple in Mount Abu. The renovation work is set to be completed by December. Another highlight will be that it will become a Maha Tirth' for Jains. A temple is known as 'Tirth' when it completes 100 years and called 'Maha Tirth' after it completes 200 years. According to Shree Jayprabh
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8/11/2009