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BOOK REVIEW...
TEERTH DARSHAN A Three-Volume Encyclopedia of Jain Places of Pilgrimage
Dilip V. Shah, Philadelphia, PA Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji inaugurated a three-volume set the teerth, the route, location and map for reaching the place, of books titled TEERTH DARSHAN at the Mahavir Jayanti along with the address of the managing body of the Teerth. The Celebration of Jain Center of America in Queens, New York. The Teerths are arranged by states and regions. Index in the front of Jain Prathna Mandir
each volume identifies each Trust of Chennai has
temple as an ancient place: produced this beautifully
Atishaya Kshetra, Kalyanak photographed large-sized
Center, Panchateerthi Center or encyclopedia of places of
Artistic Center. Colorful maps pilgrimage to
of the states with markings of commemorate the
temples are an eye-pleasing 2600th Birth
realization of glory and Anniversary of Bhagwan
prevalence of Jainism in ancient Mahavir. It is the
times. As the name of the threeInternational Edition in
volume set suggests - Teerth English and a revised
Darshan - the information is version of their two
useful for performing daily volume set published in
Darshan, reviewing and learning Hindi and Gujarati in
our rich history, and planning a 1981, which was out of
successful pilgrimage to these print and sought after by
teerths. devotees. The new set is a result of 180 days of continuous traveling to 265 places of One of the volumes describes a miracle - the appearance of a pilgrimage: photographing, collecting history and other useful snake (Adistyayak Dev) at Parswanath Temple in Lodrawar (Bihar) details. Thereafter, eight long years of research has resulted in this at the precise time they were photographing the Temple. The unique collection with 750 pages, 700 detailed color photographs publisher has considered this as blessings for this publication. on best quality art paper, durable binding and velvet burgundy pouch for each of the three books. A very moving message by the "It is a unique and complete encyclopedic reference work of Jain Late Acharya Shri Kalapurnasurishvarji Maharaj explains the Teerths that has ever been published. He encouraged each Jain significance of this work. He has termed these three books a useful family to have the blessings of this three-volume set in their home. tool for Bhav Yatra and has instructed us on the reverence and care This is also a valuable tool to introduce our children to their rich with which these books should be handled.
heritage."
The three-volume set is offered at $100.00, including the The 265 ancient pilgrim centers comprise of
postage, and is available from the JAINA Bookstore. It is the wisest (1)Those having history of 700 years
investment you can make. These books are printed in limited (2)Those which are kalyanak places of all Tirthankars
quantities and once out of print, they rarely are made available (3)Those which are world famous for art and architecture
again. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Jain Prathna
Mandir Trust in support of Guru Shree Shantivijai Jain Vidyalay (4)Those with powerful deities attracting thousands of pilgrims,
and Jain College for Women in Chennai. These two colleges on (5)Those which come under Panch Teerthi of any place.
the campus of Mahavir Jain Kalyanak Sangh are run for the general
public but with the object of spreading Jin Bhakti, Jin Vani and For each pilgrim center there are original color photos of the
Jin Darshan. chief and important deities, the exterior view of the temple, and
Picture: From left: Mr. Hemant Shah(President of Jain Center the name of the principal deity, location, color, height and posture
of America), Mr. Chandrakant Mehta, Mr. Hon.John C.Liu of the idol (Shvetambar or Digambar). There is also the history of
(NY City Council), Dr. Dilip Mukhatiyar and Shree Gurudev Chitrabhanuji
22 / JAIN DIGEST- SUMMER 2002
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