Jain Digest 1986 11 Vol 04 No 04

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

Page 16

PALITANA TEMPLE REPLICA
DISPLAYED IN LAS VEGAS NEVADA
Las Vegas, Nevada. The ancient Jain Temple of Palitana situated at the isthamus of Kathaiwar in Gujrat, India is constructed in pure white marble.
This Jain Temple, known as "The Precious Jewel of Palitana" is an outstanding piece of art, and the then government of India decided to build a replica of it to send to St. Louis Fair in America.
Many years were spent on planning and designing the replica. Hundreds of artisans were employed in the actual construction of the replica. Intricately and exquisitely hand carved of teak wood, the Temple stood 35 ft. high at its central tower and 20 ft. square at the base. It weighed close to 14 tons.
The critics and the experts praised the replica as one of the truly outstanding and priceless work of art in the world. The artistry and reverence that went into it by its builders is such that, it brings Peace and Serenity in its total absorption, upon entering it. The Peace and Serenity, of course are the basics of the teachings of Jain Religion.
The Temple replica stands within its own compound which encloses a wishing well.
This historic and artistic Jain Temple replica sailed to America to be displayed at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904 05.
The Fair came to an end. The Temple was dismantled, recrated and marked for shipment. However, the replica never sailed back. An American art dealer purchased the replica in crate but the crate was not opened until his death. It was auctioned. An art dealer bought it and eventually sold it to the present owners, The Castways Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.