Jain Digest 1998 07 Vol 14 No 03

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

Page 11

Midwest Manubhai Doshi, Regional Editor
Detroit
The Jain Society of Greater Detroit successfully completed a historic Pratishtha Mahotsav ceremony of their newly con- structed temple during the July 4th weekend. The ten day celebration started on June 27 with Kumbh Sthapan, Akhand Deepak Sthapan, Patla Pujan (Nav Grah, Asthamagal & Dash Digpal, Ten Dikpal & Navgraha Pujan and 108 Parshvanath Pujan. This was followed by Shri Bhaktamar Pujan, Snatra Pujans, Shri Parsvanath Panchkalyanak Pujan, Siddhchakra Pujan, Cultural Program, 18 Abhisheks, Indra Mahotsav & Kumarpal Raja Aarti. On July 5th, the Pratishtha
one's attention is immediately focused on the beautiful Gabhara and the tranquility of the surroundings. The atmosphere is so peaceful that the visitor is immediately en- grossed in spiritual and religious thoughts. The construction of this temple will ensure the continuity of the practice of Jainism in this country for many generations to come.
All pratishtha vidhis, pujas and Bhavnas were performed by Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and his group including his son Kayvan. Narendrabhai is from Bombay and they have performed many successful pratishtha celebrations in India. Their enthusiastic singing, music and dancing in- spired everyone to open their hearts and
AIL
Raczkowski, Farmington Hills Mayor Aldo Vignozzi, Consulate General J. C. Sharma, JAINA President Dr. Dhirubhai Shah and representatives of the Indian Ambassador Mr. Naresh Chandra.
Letters of best wishes were received from many prominent dignitaries including the President of India Mr. K.K. Narayanan, The President of the United States Mr. Bill Clinton and Governor John Engler of Michigan.
On Pratishtha day of July 5th, the celebration started with a colorful and a spectacular procession. There were nine beautiful floats decorated with various religious
themes and the sun
drenched
P
Shree Mahaviraya Namah
Wetroit Jai
voit Jain lemn
Pratishtha June 27 - July
Shtha Mahotsa
- July 6, 1998
day, began with Procession (Rath Yatra) and Pratishtha Mahotsav followed by Laghu Shanti Pujan. On July 6, the ceremony was completed with Temple Dwar Opening.
This was a dream come true for the members of the Jain Society of Greater Detroit who have been working tirelessly for the last 7 years to complete the construction of this magnificent temple. Many mem- bers had tears of joy in their eyes upon entering the temple on various occasions. The architectural details of this Daherasar reminds one of similar designs in India - beautifully carved marble murtis, marble shikhar, marble nitches, bhamti and dome. Upon entering the spacious prayer hall,
enabled the society to raise close to 2 million dollars in gheeboli and other donations.
Gurrudev Chitrabhanuji, Muni Shri Jinchandraji, Bhattarak Shri Devendrakirtiji, Muni Shri Amrenderji, Sadhvi Shri Subhamji, Samani Shri Malli Pratibha and Pratibha Pragya all were present to participate in this memorable occasion and to bless our Sangh. Religious scholars Smt. Sunandaben Vohra, Smt. Tarlaben Doshi, Shri Kiranbhai Parikh, Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta, Dr. Hukamchand Bharil gave religious discourses. The dignitaries present during the Mahotsav included Congressman Knollenberg, Congressman Kildee, State Representative Andrew
morning was filled with joyous members singing and dancing to the tune of devotional religious songs, Glam
our and glory were further added to the Rath - Yatra procession by 108 beautifully dressed ladies carrying nicely decorated kalash on their heads. After the Procession, ceremony relating to the pratishtha was performed in the presence of Jain Munis and Shamanji reciting holy mantras prescribed in the religious scriptures and inviting, soliciting and praying tirthankars to imbibe their radiance, brilliance and divinity into their respective murtis for worship by the devotees to transform them from the ordinary to the supreme.
Continued on page 10
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