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HEADQUARTERS NEWS (continued)
Jain Sanctum Pratistha Celebration in Middletown, Connecticut, July 16-18, 1999
The Jain Center of Greater Hartford celebrated the Pratistha Mahotsav during the weekend of July 17-18, 1999. Two Pratimas, one of Tirthankar Rishubhdev Bhagwan and one for Tirthankar Mahavir Bhagwan, were consecrated in the Jain Sanctum in Sri Satyanarayan Hindu Temple, 11 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT.
Pratistha Ceremonies were conducted under the direction of Bhattaraka Shri Devendra Keerti Swamiji and Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji. The pratishtha was also graced by the presence of Shri Amrendra Muniji, Shri Manak Muniji, Samniji Vineet Pragyaji and Samniji Charitra Pragyaji, and other visiting scholars. The occasion came to life with music and Stavans performed by various Mandalis and Bhavana groups including Virendrabhai Shah and his team (New Jersey), South New Jersey Bhavana Group, and Prakash Lapasia and team (Connecticut).
The weekend Prastistha Celebration began on the evening of Friday, July 16, with the Youth program, which included a discussion session with visiting Sadhus and Sadhwees. The discussion was followed by a Garba.
On Saturday, July 17th, 1999, the actual Pratistha began with a procession circling the temple grounds at 7 A.M. The ceremony started with Bhattaraka Sri Devendra Keerti Swamiji conducting the Abishek for Bhagwan Mahavir. Following the abishek/pooja, Bhattarkaji invited Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Amrendra Muniji, and Manak Muniji to conduct the "surma/sight ceremony" for Bhagwan Mahavir.
Later in the morning, Gurudev Chitrabhanuji performed the ceremony of Abhishek and Pooja for Bhagwan Rishubhdev. Everything ran so smoothly that the mahurat to do pratishtha of both Tirthankar Rishubhdevji and Mahavir Bhagwan occurred as planned around 12:39pm. Two groups participated in the installation of each Jinabimba. First Adishwar Bhagwan's pratima was placed in the sanctum, and this was followed by the pratima of Mahavir
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President not heading any committee, Dr. Dhiraj Shah's committee chairmanship should begin after he leaves office as president of JAINA (July 7, 99). The motion was amended and was passed unanimously.
Shantibhai Shah of Toronto has offered to be a consultant to JAINA for any legal questions that arise. The executive committee has accepted his offer with thanks.
Dr. Dhirajbhai took notice of the fact that this was the last meeting of this executive committee and he thanked all the members of the Executive Committee for their cooperation.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 P.M. with recitation of Namokar Mantra.
6/JAIN DIGEST. FALL 1999
Jain Education Intemational
Bhagwan.
It is difficult to describe the joy and happiness that was in the hearts of those who attended the Pratistha Before serving lunch, people danced with joy and performed Garbas and other improptu dances. Also, groups of children performed several dances. The Shantidhara was followed by Swamivatsalya lunch.
The Pratistha Mahotsav was concluded with Bhattarkji, Muni Amrendraji, and Shamni Vineet Pragyaji and Shamni Chritra Pragyaji delivering pravachans, highlighting the basic core principles of Jainism and how to adhere to them in our daily lives.
On behalf of the Jain Center of Greater Hartford we gratefully acknowledge the kind support of officers of the JAINA Federation (Kamleshbhai Amin, Jagat Jain and others for timely assistance; Mahendra Pandyaji and Nirmal Dosiji for taking the time to attend the Pratishtha Mahotsav), Officers and Members of Jain Center of Connecticut (Sudhir and Anita Shah and colleagues), and several other Jain Centers including Massachusetts (JCGB), New York (NY city, Albany, Poughkeepsie), and New Jersey who helped us in many ways. Our special thanks to Mrs. Mamtaji and Mr Naresh Jain, Kumarbhai Shah, and Jai Dugar who assisted in arranging the visits of Gurudevji, Bhattarkaji, Muni Amrendraji, and Samniji. We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the officers of Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society, the temple priests Sri Ramchand Bhatarji and Sri Krishnamurtiji, and the temple membership at large for their support before and during the ceremonies. Jai Jinendra!
Jain Center of Greater Hartford Executive Committee Faquir Jain, President (860/487-0607, fcj@engr.uconn.edu) Padam Jain, V. President (860/561-0793, padamjain@aol.com) Prem Godha, Treasurer (860/657-2284, godhapc@yahoo.com) Kajal Jain, Secretary (860/675-8509, jain@erols.com)
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