Jain Digest 2009 03 Vol 28 No 1

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

Page 17

Phase 1 of the Jain Center project was to build the main hall of the Jain Center. This was successfully completed in December 2000 and our inauguration took place in April 2001. This marked the beginning of a new era. We now had a central place to worship together under one roof and have all of our belongings stored in one place. This helped us arrange various lectures, poojas & other religious functions.
Phase 2 was completed in 2001 which included a finished basement, kitchen, Pathshala classrooms and additional bathrooms. This helped us arrange weekly Pathshala classes and have a dining facility for all of our members.
Phase 3 of the project was the biggest challenge that we encountered. This phase was to construct the Shikharbandhi Jinalay (Temple) out of magnificent marble carvings. We had to work with an architect in Atlanta and Sompura in India to come up with a typical Jain Derasar design. JSGA Executive Committee members as well Shirish Gandhi, our contractor, visited India to locate the best marble available for our temple and idols. We successfully ordered the idols and completed the marble temple in Atlanta, GA.
Anjanshalaka of Mulnayak, Adinath Bhagwan, was carried out in Walkeshwar, Bombay (India). Many members participated in this event and thoroughly enjoyed the auspicious ceremony. The pictures of the Anjanshalaka are posted on our JSGA website. According to Acharya Maharaj Nay Vardhan Suri Swarji, this Murti is extremely powerful and the
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Anjanshalaka Vidhi was performed in one of the best ways possible. Members showed such joy and enthusiasm upon the arrival of this Pratimaji in Atlanta on Sunday, November 2. Prior its arrival to Atlanta, we received a larger number of donations than expected. Jain Society of Greater Atlanta is fortunate to have such a powerful Murti at our Temple. According to Acharya Maharaj, this is one of the largest Murtis outside of India where Anjanshalaka was performed.
In our Swetambar temple we have 3 Murtis and Gabhara, 25 Tirthankars in Bhamti and 10 Dev/Devis in the temple and lobby area. In our Digambar temple, which is located downstairs, we have 3 Murtis in the main Gabhara. We also have a dhyan room for Sthanakvasi behind the temple.
Thank you to:
(1) Shirishbhai & Premaben Gandhi (Zaveri Enterprise) for working with us to bring this project to completion.
(2) The JSGA current Executive Committee members for their hard work, dedication & support
(3) All of the donors for donating the necessary funds
and participating in different bolis to raise the funds to make this project a completely debt free project.
(4) All of the JSGA members for their unconditional support & help.
(5) Various committee members and all of the volunteers.
The inner sanctum and architecture of the newly inaugurated temple.
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