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PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV AT JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA-NY
PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV
The Jain Center Of America, New York celebrated America in 1976. Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji envisioned its Pratishtha Mahotsav (Consecration Ceremony) in June the Temple not only as a place of worship, but also a center 2005. The event stretched over a ten day period starting of communication with other faiths. With that inspiration in with Bhakti Bhavana on the evening of June 10th and ending 1974, families of Mr. Dinesh Chheda and Mr. Bhavanji on June 19. with the formal - Post Pratishtha - Dwar open- Lodaya brought the Pratimaji of Shri Mahavir Swami from ing (Inauguration) of the Temple. Thousands of people par- Palitana and installed the murti at the Jain Meditation Center. ticipated in the events and thousands more watched the
In 1981, visionaries like Dr. Mahendra Pandya, Mr. functions and Pratishthas on the
Anand Nahar and Mr. Kamal worldwide web created specially for
Surana purchased a building on this event.
Ithaca Street in the Elmhurst The Jain Center of America,
section of Queens. The New York was the first Jain center
Pratimaji of Mahavir Swami organized and registered in America
was installed in the spring of in 1976. The center bought its first
1982. The center started contemple building in 1981. Today, a state
ducting regular events such as, of the art temple complex has re
weekly bhavnas, poojans, placed the old temple building at 43
Paryushan Parva, Das Laxana 11 Ithaca Street Elmhurst, Queens
Parva, Samvatsari Pratikaman NY. The unique design of the temple
etc. The center has been is a shining example of unity within
blessed by the visits of spiritual the Jain Community of New York.
scholars like Gurudev This temple building has won
Chitrabhanuji, Acharya Shri the prestigious "BEST RELIGIOUS
Sushil Kumarji, Shri BUILDING" award of 2005 in
Triputibandhu, Acharya Shri Queens, New York. An anonymous
Chandanaji, Shri Roopchandji, member with the support and uncon
Shri Manakmuniji, Shri ditional help from his community, and
Jinchandra Suriji, Shri members of the Jain Center of America, accomplished the Atmanandji, Padmashri Dr.
Atmanandji, Padmashri Dr. Kumarpal Desai, Shri Bhattarakji, construction of this magnificent 16,623 Sq, feet facility in Pandit Shri Dhirajbhai Mehta, Shri Kiranbhai Parekh, Smt. a record time, at a cost of six million dollars. The building Sunandaben Vora, and Shri Chandrakant Mehta. In 1975 meets all local and state legal standards and requirements.
the Center hosted the International Jain Conference and the The keys to the Temple were ceremoniously handed over second "JAINA Convention", where JAINA adopted its by the members of the Jain Community to the Chairman of constitution. JCA, Dr. Dilip Mukhtyar on November of 2004. Soon af
The New Temple Complex has Shri Mahavir Swami ter, preparations for Pratishtha Mahotsav began with enor- temple in Swetämbar tradition and a large Upashraya/Sthanak mous joy and vigor.
Hall on the second floor. Shri Adinathji Temple in Digamber The origins of Jain Center of America dates back Tradition, Shrimad Hall (Dhyan Mandir) and Library (Gyan to 1965 when a few Jains started meeting at homes of
Mandir) are located on the third floor. Gurudev Jin Kushal different families for Bhakti Bhavana under the leadership
leadership Suri Ji Dadawadi, Shri Ashtapadji and Bhojanshala (Dining
Surii of Dr. Narendra Shethi. At this point the center was known Hall) are on the fourth floor. The cellar has an "Art Gallery" as Jain Center of New York. It was renamed Jain Center of showcasing Jain art. Shri Bhomiyaji's murti blesses a tem
4/JAIN DIGEST. Spring 2005
an
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