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HEADQUARTERS NEWS
Jain Society of Greater Atlanta Lays Temple Foundation
A highly impressive ritual studded ground breaking ceremony for an artistic Jain Center/Derasar with domes, adjoining audito- rium, kitchen, dining hall, library, pathshala and accommodation for visiting guests was held by the Jain Society of Greater Atlanta on a sunny Sunday morning of April 5.
Acharya Shree Chandanaji and Shubhamji of Veerayatan Ashram in Rajgiri, Bihar, conducted the solemn, elaborate ceremony at tended by over 300 members. Acharya Chandanaji said that Jainism focuses on human dignity based on non-violence in thought and deed towards all. Acharya Chandanaji was assisted by learned Abhaychandra Mehta of Houston and Mangalam Panwala from North Carolina to conduct the ceremony, which included Dwar Pooja, Kalash Pooja, Bhoomi Pooja, Nav Grah Pooja etc. The President of JAINA, Dr. Dhiraj Shah from New York, graced the colorful ceremony. Dr. Shah praised the project. He said that the Temple and the Hall would be a symbol of harmony and unification rather than destruction and dissection. Derasar will be a flagship of Jainism in the southeast U.S. and provide a pulpit to promote,
preserve and propagate Jain religion and cultural heritage. It will help solidify the Jain community and help strengthen its identity. The President of the Jain Society of Greater Atlanta, Dipak Shah, his wife Sampurnaben, Prema Gandhi, Virbala Jain and Saroj Bhavsar also helped conduct the ceremony. The secretary of the Sangh, Shirish Gandhi, gave the guests momento gifts at the end of the ceremony.
Jain community in Atlanta is very progressive. With donors like Jagdish Sheth and Dipak Shah and many more, the Jain Samaj will rally together to see the dream project become a reality. After the ceremony, Swamivatsalya was sponsored by Santosh and Sarla Kothari and Vinay and Urmila Doshi. The previous evening, the society held a Cultural program at the Centennial High School where Acharya Chandanaji and the talented youngsters presented various episodes from the life of Mahavir. Sureshbhai and Zarna Shah sponsored dinner that evening. The Vice President of the Sangh, Indubhai Bhavsar, arranged the sound system and stage decorations.
Jain Center of South Florida Performed Bhumi Pujan on May 2, 1998
story in detail. All the children who participated were given an
The Jain Center of South Florida (JCSF) celebrated the Mahavir Jayanti and performed Bhumi Pujan on a newly acquired 3.9 acre land located in Davie, Florida, on a sunny morning of May 2, 1998. This land is located right next to a newly built South Florida Hindu Temple (SFHT) in West Broward, Florida.
This auspicious event was blessed by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji along with Sattavadhani Mahasati Subhamji. Dr. Dhiraj Shah, President of JAINA, also attended this auspicious event. More than 350 people attended the ceremony. A program book was published for the event. As part of the ceremony, Snatra Pooja was performed early in the morning at the SFHT site under the direction of Gurudev Chitrabhanuji. Most of the Jains actively participated in this pooja. As per Jain belief, Snatra pooja is a celebration of Tirthankar's birth, part of the Panch Kalyanak, and first holy birth given by the Indras, Devas and Devis on the Meru mountain. During the ceremony, they recite special mantras including Bruhad Shantimantra. During Shanti Mantra, souls from hell see light and find peace for themselves. Traditionally the holy water of Tirthankar's bath given during Shanti Kalash is sprayed on to the land to make the land holy as part of the Bhoomi pujan.
A Cultural Program prepared by 40 children was presented. The Highlight of the program was a wonderful story of our 19th Tirthankar, Bhagwan Mallinath. Mahasati Shubhamji recited the
The members of the Building Project and Fund Raising Committee outlined the proposed Jain Center and provided the report of the fund raising activities. The proposed Jain Center will consist of Gabhara, Temple/Prayer Hall, Pathshala, Swadhayay Room, Library, Museum and a visitors room. A total of 5500-6000 square feet air conditioned built-up area is anticipated. So far over $600,000 in pledges have been made towards the Jain Center against a goal of $750,000.
The Bhumi pujan was performed by two families: Mrs. Bhavnaben J. Shah and Digant/Ashok Dalal family. Gurudev Chitrabhanu, Mahasati Subhamji and Dr. Dhiraj Shah, congratulated the JCSF. Dr. K. Deepika Dalal, President of JCSF thanked all the attendees, as well as members of the committees for their dedication, hard work and help in making the Jain Center project a reality.
The Jain Center will expand faster in the future because of its unique location and the warm climate of South Florida. The proposed Jain Center is targeted for completion by the year 2000. If any one wishes to make a donation for this cause, please contact Dr. Satish Shah, Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee at 954/ 946-4752 or Dr. K. Deepika Dalal at 954/431-5957.
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1998/5
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