JAINA Convention 1999 07 Philadelphia

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 51

S
A
MARPAN
M
TAIN
J
Ι
SANGH
AMERICA'S JAIN PILGRIMAGE - SIDDHACHALAM Muni Amrendra Kumar
Outside India, in 1983 a glorious temple is established at Siddhachalam by world famous monk Acharyashri Shushil Kumarji Maharaj. It is a very peaceful and pious place. You can see peacock, deer and other birds and animals passing by. Natural surrounding is very beautiful.
PURPOSE OF SIDDHACHALAM
10th Biennial JAINA Convention
Western world is drowning into physical things. With worldly progress, tension and anxiety are surrounding the man. There is increase of deadly diseases like AIDS and Cancer. Scientific progress is also accompanied by lack of spiritual developments. To reinforce our spiritual heritage Acharya Shushil Kumarji had decided to establish Siddhachalam.
SIDDHACHALAM
Siddhachalam is situated on a one hundred and twenty-acre land at northwest corner of New Jersey. It is couple of mile off US Route 80. It is a big attraction for Jain visitors around the world.
Main Temple:
There are three temples in Siddhachalam. In the main temple Bhagwan Adinath is Moolnayak. Other four statues are of Lord Shantinath, Lord Parshanath, Lord Chandaprabhu and Lord Mahaveer. They are providing tremendous inspiration to all young and old. There is also at standing statue of Lord Bahubali. A statue of Manidhari Dadaguru Shri Jinchandrasuriji Maharaj is on the other side of the statue. Near Parshnath statue there are statues of Padmavati Mata and Chakreshvari Devi. Many times there were TV and newspaper coverage at siddhachalam.
Parshvanath Temple:
There is a famous statue of Lord Parshvanath. It reflects beauty, strength and compassion. The miracle is that if anyone meditate here aiming at 3rd eye center of Lord Parshvanath for two minutes, he/she experiences white light with a light glowing image of Bhagwan. To see this miracle many foreigners, non-jains and Jains come to the temple. Around Lord Parshanath there are statues of many Gods and Goddess. Statues of Padmavati Mata, Mahalaxmi, Sarasvati Mata and 22nd Tirthankar Lord Aristhnemi's godess Ambika Mata can be found. There are also statues of Veer Ghantakarna Mahaveer, Khsetrapal Shri Manibhadraji, Nakoda Bherava and Parsva Yaksha. A statue of Baba Roopchandji Maharaj who had miracle power and who lived 160 years ago can be also be found in this temple.
Old Temple:
Third temple has statues of many Tirthankaras. It is the first temple you will find when you enter Siddhachalam. There are about sixty trees surrounding this temple.
Jains in America are holding religious camps under the spiritual guidance of monks and scholars.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
For Private Personal Use Only
J
VAINISM
I
N
THE
NEW
MILLENNIUM